Abstract:
The invention discloses methods, devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. An implantable facet joint device of one embodiment comprises a cephalad facet joint element and a caudal facet joint element. The cephalad facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member. The caudal facet joint element includes a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebra at a fixation point and an artificial caudal bearing member adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the fixation point, hi another embodiment, an implantable facet joint device comprises a cephalad crossbar adapted to extend mediolaterally relative to a spine of a patient, the crossbar having opposite first and second ends, a connector element adapted to connect the crossbar to a first vertebra, a first artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the first end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a first caudal facet joint element connected to a second vertebra, and a second artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the second end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a second caudal facet joint element connected to the second vertebra. In yet another embodiment, an implantable facet joint device comprises a caudal cross- member adapted to extend mediolaterally relative to a spine of a patient and adapted to connect to a first vertebra, a first artificial caudal bearing member adapted for connection to the caudal cross-member, and adapted to engage a first cephalad facet joint element connected to a second vertebra, and a second artificial caudal bearing member adapted for connection to the caudal cross-member at a predetermined spacing from the first bearing member, the second bearing member being adapted to engage a second caudal facet joint element connected to the second vertebra.
Abstract:
The invention discloses methods and devices for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. A facet joint restoration device of the invention for use in a restoring a facet joint surface comprises: a cephalad facet joint element comprising a flexible member adapted to engage a first vertebrae and an artificial cephalad joint; and a caudad facet joint element comprising a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebrae and an artificial caudad joint adapted to engage the cephalad facet joint. In another embodiment, the invention discloses a facet joint replacement device for use in replacing all or a portion of a natural facet joint between a first vertebrae and a second vertebrae comprising: a first cephalad facet joint element having a fixation member adapted to engage a lamina or spinous process of the first vertebrae and a first caudad facet joint element, the first caudad facet joint element comprising a first caudad connector adapted to fixate to the second vertebral body and an artificial caudad facet surface adapted to engage with the cephalad facet joint element.
Abstract:
Devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules are disclosed. An implantable facet joint device (800) of one embodiment comprises a cephalad facet joint element and a caudal facet joint element. The cephalad facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member (820). The caudal facet joint element includes a connector (810) adapted for fixation to a second vertebra at a fixation point and an ' artificial caudal bearing member (825) adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the fixation point.
Abstract:
The invention discloses methods and devices for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. A facet joint restoration device (410) of the invention for use in a restoring a facet joint surface comprises: a cephalad facet joint element comprising a flexible member (422) adapted to engage a first vertebrae and an artificial cephalad joint (426) ; and a caudad facet joint element comprising a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebrae and an artificial caudad joint (428) adapted to engage the cephalad facet joint. In another embodiment, the invention discloses a facet joint replacement device for use in replacing all or a portion of a natural facet joint between a first vertebrae and a second vertebrae.