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 with at least two arms extending therefrom and adapted to couple to adjacent vertebrae, the central spacer and the at least two arms having a unitary configuration and being formed from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         2 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two arms comprises first and second superior arms extending from a superior portion of the central spacer and adapted to mate to a superior vertebra, and first and second inferior arms extending from an inferior portion of the central spacer and adapted to mate to an inferior vertebra.  
     
     
         3 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising: a central spacer adapted to be positioned between posterior elements of adjacent vertebrae and adapted to limit extension of the adjacent vertebrae, and at least one pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the central spacer and adapted to couple to a vertebra, at least a portion of the at least one pair of arms being pliable for providing resistance to movement of adjacent vertebrae coupled thereto.  
     
     
         4 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pair of arms and the central spacer are of a unitary construction.  
     
     
         5 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one pair of arms and the central spacer are formed from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         6 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pair of arms is removably coupled to the central spacer.  
     
     
         7 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the at least one pair of arms is slidably disposed through the central spacer.  
     
     
         8 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the central spacer has a shape selected from the group consisting of wedge-shaped, round, oval, elliptical, and rectangular.  
     
     
         9 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pair of arms comprises first and second arms extending from opposed sides of the central spacer, a third arm removably coupled to the first arm, and a fourth arm removably coupled to the second arm.  
     
     
         10 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the central spacer is formed from a compressible material.  
     
     
         11 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pair of arms is adjustably matable to the central spacer.  
     
     
         12 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pair of arms comprises a first pair of arms extending from a first lateral side of the central spacer, and a second pair arms extending from a second, opposed lateral side of the central spacer.  
     
     
         13 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 12 , wherein the first pair of arms are integrally formed with one another, and the second pair of arms are integrally formed with one another.  
     
     
         14 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 13 , wherein the central spacer includes a cross-connector extending therethrough and adapted to engage the first and second pair of arms.  
     
     
         15 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 3 , wherein the device is substantially X-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising: a central spacer having first and second opposed lateral sides, the central spacer being adapted to be positioned between posterior elements of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae and adapted to limit extension of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae; a first pair of arms extending from the first lateral side of the central spacer, the first pair of arms being adapted to couple to adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae; and a second pair of arms extending from the second lateral side of the central spacer, the second pair of arms being adapted to couple to adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pair of arms is pliable for providing resistance to movement of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae coupled thereto.  
     
     
         17 . The spinal stabilization device of  claim 16 , wherein the first pair of arms are coupled to one another and the second pair of arms are coupled to one another, and wherein the first and second pair of arms are removably mated to the central spacer.