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 . An implant for replacing at least a left inferior facet a right inferior facet of a first vertebra, the implant comprising: 
 a left inferior articular surface shaped to replace the left inferior facet; a right inferior articular surface shaped to replace the right inferior facet; and    a bridge extending along a substantially straight path to couple the left and right inferior articular surfaces together.    
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertebra comprises a transverse process, wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to the transverse process.  
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape that remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.  
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.  
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are positioned substantially in-line with the path.  
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge couples the left and right inferior articular surfaces together in such a manner that the left and right inferior articular surfaces are non-adjustably positionable relative to each other.  
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6 , wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are formed as a single piece with the bridge.  
     
     
         8 . An implant for replacing at least a left facet and a right facet of a first vertebra, the implant comprising: a left articular surface shaped to replace the left facet; 
 a right articular surface shaped to replace the right facet; and    a bridge extending along a substantially straight path to couple the left and right articular surfaces together such that the left and right articular surfaces are positioned substantially in-line with the substantially straight path.    
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the first vertebra comprises a transverse process, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to the transverse process.  
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape that remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.  
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.  
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the left and right articular surfaces comprise left and right inferior articular surfaces shaped to articulate with left and right superior articular surfaces of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.  
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the bridge couples the left and right articular surfaces together in such a manner that the left and right articular surfaces are non-adjustably positionable relative to each other.  
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 13 , wherein the left and right inferior articular surfaces are formed as a single piece with the bridge.  
     
     
         15 . An implant for replacing at least a left facet and a right facet of a first vertebra, the implant comprising: a left articular surface shaped to replace the left facet; 
 a right articular surface shaped to replace the right facet; and    a bridge formed as a single piece with the left articular surface and the right articular surface to couple the left and right articular surfaces together;    wherein at least one of the left and right articular surfaces comprises an inferior articular surface shaped to articulate with a superior articular surface of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.    
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the first vertebra comprises a transverse process, wherein the left and right articular surfaces are attachable to the first vertebra independently of attachment to the transverse process.  
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the bridge comprises a cross sectional shape that remains substantially uniform along substantially all of the length of the path.  
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the bridge extends along a substantially straight path between the left and right articular surfaces.  
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the path extends substantially medial-laterally.  
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the left and right articular surfaces comprise left and right inferior articular surfaces shaped to articulate with left and right superior articular surfaces of a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra.