Facet Joint Prosthesis

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for a facet replacement device. In one embodiment of the invention, a facet replacement device is provided and includes an elongate member matable to a first vertebra and a housing. The housing can have a connector formed thereon and matable to an adjacent second vertebra and an inner lumen formed therein. The housing can also include a deformable member disposed within the inner lumen and having an opening formed therein for slidably receiving at least a portion of the elongate member such that the elongate member can be angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen.

1 . A spinal implant device, comprising:
 an elongate member matable to a first vertebra;   a housing matable to an adjacent second vertebra and having an inner lumen formed therein;   a deformable member disposed within the inner lumen and having an opening formed therein for slidably receiving at least a portion of the elongate member such that the elongate member can be angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the inner lumen; and   a bearing disposed within the opening formed in the deformable member, and configured to facilitate slidable movement of the elongate member within the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable member has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable member includes a plurality of holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced around the opening and extend substantially parallel to a central axis of the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a generally cylindrical portion that houses the deformable member, and a connector extending laterally outward from a sidewall of the cylindrical portion of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the connector includes a bore formed therethrough that is adapted to receive a portion of a bone anchor for anchoring the housing to a vertebra. 
     
     
         7 . A spinal implant system, comprising:
 a first component adapted to couple to a first vertebra and having a deformable member disposed therein, the deformable member having a plurality of holes extending therethrough for allowing the deformable member to compress; and   a second component adapted to couple to a second adjacent vertebra and having at least a portion that is receivable within the deformable member of the first component, the second component being adapted to slidably translate relative to a longitudinal axis of the first component to allow flexion and extension of adjacent vertebrae coupled thereto.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the deformable member includes an opening formed therethrough and extending along a central axis of the deformable member. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced around the opening and extend substantially parallel to the central axis of the deformable member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a bearing disposed within the deformable member and adapted to facilitate slidable movement of the second component relative to the deformable member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first component includes a housing that houses the deformable member and a connector extending outward from the housing, the connector including a bore formed therethrough for receiving a portion of a bone anchor for anchoring the housing to a first vertebra. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first component comprises a first housing adapted to mate to a first lateral side of a first vertebra, and a second housing adapted to mate to a second lateral side of a first vertebra, and the second component comprises a first elongate member adapted to anchor to a first lateral side of a second vertebra, and a second elongate member adapted to anchor to a second lateral side of a second vertebra, at least a portion of the first elongate member being positioned within a first deformable member disposed within the first housing, and at least a portion of the second elongate member being positioned within a second deformable member disposed within the second housing. 
     
     
         13 . A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
 coupling a first component to a first vertebra; and   coupling a second component to a second adjacent vertebra, at least a portion of the second component extending through a deformable member disposed within the first component;   wherein the second component translates along a longitudinal axis of the deformable member and moves laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the deformable member to compress the deformable member.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a bearing disposed within the deformable member facilitates translation of the second component along the longitudinal axis of the deformable member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein coupling the first component to the first vertebra comprises implanting an anchor in the first vertebra and mating a connector formed on the first component to the anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein coupling the second component to the second vertebra comprises implanting an anchor in the second vertebra and mating the second component to the anchor.