Facet replacement/spacing and flexible spinal stabilization

Abstract

The present invention is related to spinal stabilization devices. More particularly, this invention relates to devices for addressing back pain originating in the facet joints and the spinous processes of the vertebrae. One embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped facet implant for insertion between the facets of two successive vertebrae after a desired amount of the articulating surfaces have been resected. The long and flat portion of the T-shaped facet implant is inserted in between the facets and then the wings of the T-shape, also called fixation tabs, are secured to the spine to secure the facet implant into place. The T-shape implant may also be a part of a spinal stabilization system that includes a facet implant, a spinous process spacer, and a flexible connecting member securing the same.

1 . An implant for use with the opposing facets of two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: 
 an implant member including a facet bearing body; and    at least one fixation tab affixed to the facet bearing body for securing the implant to at least one of the two vertebrae, wherein the facet bearing body is positionable between the opposing facets and the at least one fixation tab is fixable to at least one of the two vertebrae.    
   
   
       2 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the at least one fixation tab is deformably connected to the implant member.  
   
   
       3 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising at least one bone engaging fastener for securing the at least one fixation tab to a vertebra.  
   
   
       4 . The implant of  claim 3  wherein the bone engaging fastener is a screw.  
   
   
       5 . The facet implant of  claim 1  wherein the facet implant includes at least one friction member for helping to secure the facet implant to the vertebra.  
   
   
       6 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant induces the two vertebrae into lordosis.  
   
   
       7 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the facet implant and the fixation tab form a substantially “T” shape.  
   
   
       8 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant member includes two or more facet bearing bodies, each facet bearing body including a fixation tab for securing the implant member to the spine.  
   
   
       9 . The implant of  claim 8  further comprising a band for bindingly engaging the two facet bearing bodies.  
   
   
       10 . The implant of  claim 8  wherein the facet bearing bodies are each generally in the shape of an “L.” 
   
   
       11 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the facet bearing body is affixed to a surface of one of the opposing facets.  
   
   
       12 . The implant of  claim 9  wherein the band is configured to provide a restraining force for controlling the relative movement of the opposing facets.  
   
   
       13 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant further comprises a bone growth inducing material.  
   
   
       14 . The implant of  claim 13  wherein the bone growth inducing material is selected from the group consisting of tantalum metal, fiber metal, and mineralized lyophilized collagen  
   
   
       15 . A prosthesis for the stabilization of a diseased or traumatized facet of a vertebra, comprising: 
 a facet implant member having an articulating surface for insertion between two opposing facets of two adjacent vertebrae, the articulating surface providing support for the two opposing facets and support between the two opposing facets; and    two fixation tabs attached to the articulating surface wherein the facet implant member and the two fixation tabs form a substantially T-shape.    
   
   
       16 . A prosthesis for the stabilization of a diseased or traumatized facet of a vertebra, comprising: 
 a facet implant that includes two facet bearing bodies for insertion between a diseased or traumatized facet of a first vertebra and an opposing facet on an adjacent second vertebra, the facet bearing bodies providing at least one of support or spacing between the two opposing facets; and    a band for securing the two opposing facets into a restrained relationship.    
   
   
       17 . The implant of  claim 16  wherein each facet bearing body is positioned between the opposing facets, the at least one fixation tab of each facet bearing body is secured to the band, and the band is secured to at least one of the two vertebrae.  
   
   
       18 . The implant of  claim 16  wherein the band is elastic and compliant.  
   
   
       19 . The implant of  claim 16  wherein the implant induces the two vertebrae into lordosis.  
   
   
       20 . A facet implant for securing the opposing facets of two vertebrae, comprising a band for securing to the two vertebrae, the band including a means for securing the band to the two vertebrae, the band providing a restraining force between the two vertebrae to restrict the relative movement of the two vertebrae.  
   
   
       21 . An artificial facet for inserting in the facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a facet implant with a first body for securing to a superior vertebra and a second body for securing to an inferior vertebra, the first and second bodies connected by a connection means and shaped to provide an artificial facet structure between two adjacent vertebrae.  
   
   
       22 . The artificial facet of  claim 21  wherein the connection means comprises a bridge.  
   
   
       23 . A method for stabilizing two adjacent vertebrae having opposing facets, comprising: 
 resecting at least one of the two opposing facets a desired amount;    positioning a facet implant between the two opposing facets; and connecting the facet implant to at least one of the two adjacent vertebrae so that the facet implant provides structural support to at least one of the opposing facets.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising positioning a facet bearing body between the opposing facets.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the connecting step comprises securing each of the first and second bodies to each of the first and second vertebrae utilizing screws.  
   
   
       26 . A spinal stabilization system comprising: 
 a facet implant including a facet bearing body for placement between two opposing facets of first and second adjacent vertebra, the facet bearing body providing spacing and support to the two opposing facets;    a spinous process spacer for placement between the spinous processes of the first and second adjacent vertebrae;    a flexible connecting member for securing the spinous process spacer to the first vertebrae; and    a bone anchoring fastener for securing the flexible connecting member to the spine.    
   
   
       27 . The spinal stabilization system of  claim 26  wherein the facet implant is secured by the flexible connecting member to the spinous process spacer.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the flexible connecting member is made of polyester fiber.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the bone anchoring fastener is selected from the group consisting of screws, pedicle screws, bone anchors, posts, and bone fasteners.  
   
   
       30 . A method for stabilizing a spine having adjacent vertebrae that have opposing facets comprising: 
 inserting a facet implant including a facet bearing body, the facet bearing body providing at least one of spacing and support to at least one of the two opposing facets;    placing a spinous process spacer for placement between the spinous processes of the first and second adjacent vertebrae;    securing a flexible connecting member between the spinous process spacer and the first vertebrae; and    affixing the flexible connecting member to the spine with a bone anchoring fastener.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the flexible connecting member is a cord, wherein the bone anchoring member is a bone screw, and wherein the method further comprises securing the flexible connecting member to the facet implant.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the implant induces the two vertebrae into lordosis.