Systems and methods for facet joint stabilization

US8409257B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

Inventors

• Avram Allan Edidin · Sunnyvale, US
• Nikolas F. Kerr · Milpitas, US
• Greg Marik · Collierville, US
• Newton H. Metcalf, JR. · Memphis, US
• Tanmay Mishra · Philadelphia, US
• Michael A. Smith · Phoenix, US
• Jusong Xia · Gastonia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B17/864
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one form, a method for stabilization of a facet joint of the spinal column includes forming a cavity between adjacent bones defining the facet joint and positioning an implant in the cavity between the adjacent bones. In one aspect of this form, the method also includes positioning a bone anchor across the facet joint and engaging the bone anchor with each of the adjacent bones to force the bones toward one another and clamp the implant therebetween. In a further aspect of this form, the implant is a cancellous bone dowel and becomes fractured into a plurality of fragments upon being clamped between the adjacent bones and/or otherwise interacting with the bone anchor. In another form, systems and devices for performing percutaneous facet joint stabilization and/or fusion are provided. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.