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 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising: a central spacer adapted to be positioned between posterior elements of adjacent vertebrae, the central spacer being adapted to limit extension of the adjacent vertebrae; and opposed arms coupled to opposed lateral sides of the central spacer, each arm having a first portion adapted to couple to a first vertebra, and a second portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a spinous process of a second adjacent vertebra such that the opposed arms are adapted to provide resistance to movement of first and second adjacent vertebrae.  
     
     
         2 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first arm is coupled to the second portion of the second arm to form a U-shaped member that is adapted to be positioned around the spinous process of a second adjacent vertebra.  
     
     
         3 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 2 , wherein the U-shaped member is fixedly coupled to the central spacer.  
     
     
         4 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 1 , wherein the opposed arms are integrally formed with the central spacer.  
     
     
         5 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the opposed arms and the central spacer are formed from a polymeric material.  
     
     
         6 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first and second arms is substantially pliable.  
     
     
         7 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising: a central spacer that is adapted to be positioned between posterior elements of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae; and opposed first and second arms coupled to opposed lateral sides of the central spacer, each of the first and second arms including an inferior portion that extends in an inferior direction from the central spacer and that is adapted to be coupled to an inferior vertebra, the inferior portion of the first arm and the inferior portion of the second arm diverging with respect to one another from the central spacer, and a superior portion that extends in a superior direction from the central spacer, the superior portion of each arm extending substantially parallel to one another such that the superior portion of the first arm and the superior portion of the second arm are adapted to engage a spinous process of a superior vertebra therebetween to provide resistance to movement of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae.  
     
     
         8 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 7 , wherein the inferior portion of each of the first and second arms is curved.  
     
     
         9 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the first and second arms is pliable for providing resistance to movement of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae coupled to the device.  
     
     
         10 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 7 , wherein the superior portion of the first and second arms are coupled to one another to form a U-shaped member that is adapted to extend around a spinous process of a superior vertebrae.  
     
     
         11 . A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, comprising: positioning a central spacer between the posterior elements of first and second adjacent vertebrae; positioning a first arm adjacent to a first lateral side of the central spacer such that a first portion of the first arm is positioned adjacent to the first vertebra and a second portion of the first arm is positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the second vertebra; and positioning a second arm adjacent to a second, opposed lateral side of the central spacer such that a first portion of the second arm is positioned adjacent to the first vertebra and a second portion of the second arm is positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the second vertebra; wherein the second portions of the first and second arms substantially provide resistance to movement of the first and second adjacent vertebrae.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second portions of the first and second arms are coupled to one another to form a substantially U-shaped member, and wherein positioning the second portions of the first and second arms adjacent to the spinous process of the second vertebra comprises positioning the U-shaped member around the spinous process of the second vertebra.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second arms are integrally formed with the central spacer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first and second arms are pliable to allow lateral bending of the first and second vertebrae.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling the first arm to the first lateral side of the central spacer, and coupling the second arm to the second, opposed lateral side of the central spacer.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the central spacer is adapted to substantially limit extension of the first and second adjacent vertebrae.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second portions of the first and second arms engage opposed sides of the spinous process of the second vertebra.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second portions of the first and second arms each abut against a lamina of the second vertebra.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the first portions of the first and second arms to the first vertebra comprise implanting first and second bone screws in the first vertebra and mating the first portions of the first and second arms to the first and second bone screws.