Facet arthroplasty devices and methods

Abstract

Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures.

1 . (Copied from  claim 1  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) Apparatus comprising: a first spinal prosthetic member attachable to a first spinal structure; and a second spinal prosthetic member attachable to a second spinal structure, said first and second spinal prosthetic members being movably attached to one another with a fastening device, said fastening device having a non-tightened position which permits spatial movement of said first and second spinal prosthetic members with respect to one another at a desired orientation, and a tightened position which fixes said first and second spinal prosthetic members at the desired orientation.  
     
     
         2 . (Copied from  claim 2  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members are pivotable with respect to one another about a first pivot axis to define an angle between said first and second spinal prosthetic members that corresponds to a lordotic angle between the first and second spinal structures.  
     
     
         3 . (Copied from  claim 3  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members articulate with respect to one another along non-straight surfaces thereof and said fastening device, in its tightened position, fixes said first and second spinal prosthetic members at a desired orientation along the non-straight surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . (Copied from  claim 4  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said non-straight surfaces comprise a convex surface formed on said first spinal prosthetic member and a concave surface formed on said second spinal prosthetic member.  
     
     
         5 . (Copied from  claim 5  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members are further pivotable with respect to one another about a second pivot axis angled at a non-zero angle with respect to the first pivot axis.  
     
     
         6 . (Copied from  claim 6  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fastening device comprises a threaded fastener and a spacer member, said spacer member having a non-straight surface that interfaces with and is tightened by said threaded fastener against the non-straight surfaces of said first and second spinal prosthetic members.  
     
     
         7 . (Copied from  claim 7  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spinal prosthetic member comprises a unitary body that includes a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member, said first attachment member comprising at least one attachment point attachable to the first spinal structure, and said second attachment member being movably attached to said second spinal prosthetic member with said fastening device.  
     
     
         8 . (Copied from  claim 8  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said flexure assembly comprises an elastomeric boot placed at least partially around said first and second attachment members, said boot being connected to said first and second attachment members.  
     
     
         9 . (Copied from  claim 9  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said flexure assembly is adapted to flex omnidirectionally.  
     
     
         10 . (Copied from  claim 10  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second spinal prosthetic member comprises a unitary body that includes laterally extending arms comprising mounting hardware positioned along said arms.  
     
     
         11 . (Copied from  claim 11  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) Apparatus comprising: a first spinal prosthetic member attachable to a first spinal structure; and a second spinal prosthetic member attachable to a second spinal structure, said first and second spinal prosthetic members being movably attached to one another with a fastening device, said fastening device having a non-tightened position which permits spatial movement of said first and second spinal prosthetic members with respect to one another at a desired orientation, and a tightened position which fixes said first and second spinal prosthetic members at the desired orientation; wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members are pivotable with respect to one another about a first pivot axis to define an angle between said first and second spinal prosthetic members that corresponds to a lordotic angle between the first and second spinal structures, and wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members articulate with respect to one another along non-straight surfaces thereof and said fastening device, in its tightened position, fixes said first and second spinal prosthetic members at a desired orientation along the non-straight surfaces, said fastening device comprising a threaded fastener and a spacer member, said spacer member having a non-straight surface that interfaces with and is tightened by said threaded fastener against the non-straight surfaces of said first and second spinal prosthetic members.  
     
     
         12 . (Copied from  claim 12  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members are further pivotable with respect to one another about a second pivot axis angled at a non-zero angle with respect to the first pivot axis.  
     
     
         13 . (Copied from  claim 13  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said first spinal prosthetic member comprises a unitary body that includes a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member, said first attachment member comprising at least one attachment point attachable to the first spinal structure, and said second attachment member being movably attached to said second spinal prosthetic member with said fastening device.  
     
     
         14 . (Copied from  claim 14  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,276) The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said second spinal prosthetic member comprises a unitary body that includes laterally extending arms comprising mounting hardware positioned along said arms.