Method and apparatus for replacing the function of facet joints
(19)AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE (54) Title Method and apparatus for replacing the funct on of facet joints (51)G International Patent Classification(s) A61F 2/30 (2006.01) 20060101ALI2006040 AGIB 17/70 (2006.01)8BMEP A61F A61F 2/00 (2006.01) 2/00 A61F (72) Inventor(s) Molz, Fred J. iv; Sherman, Michael C; Just is, Jeff R. (74) Agent/Attorney FB Rice & Co, Level 23 44 Market Street SYDNEY, NSW, 2000 A system and method is provided for replacing the functions of a facet joint between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra without necessarily requiring an anatomical implant. The method includes: providing one or more flexible posterior devices to replace main functions of the facet joint; and adapting a first one of the one or more posterior devices for a first attachment to a first pedicle, and a second attachment to a second pedicle. We claim: 1. A surgical implant for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the surgical implant comprising: a first biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae; a second biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae; and a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices; wherein the first and second biocompatible attachment devices are positioned, and the flexible member is adapted, so that the surgical implant applies a distracting force between the superior and inferior vertebrae sufficient for selectively maintaining the first and second pedicles at a predetermined distance.
2. The surgical implant of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is further adapted to be compressed in response to a second force that exceeds the distracting force.
3. The surgical implant of claim 1 wherein the flexible member includes a joint component positioned between the first and second biocompatible attachment devices.
4.'The surgical implant of claim 3 wherein the flexible member further includes a first flexible member connected between the first biocompatible attachment device and the joint component, and a second flexible member connected between the second biocompatible attachment device and the joint component, and wherein the first and second flexible members are connected together at the joint component and are adapted to rotate relative to each other at the joint component. <Desc/Clms Page number 13> 5. A facet replacement system comprising: a first posterior device having first and second attachment mechanisms and a compression-resistant member connected there between; a second posterior device having first and second attachment mechanisms and an expansion-resistant member connected there between; the first attachment mechanisms being adapted to connect to respective portions of a superior spinous process; and the second attachment mechanisms being adapted to connect to respective portions of an inferior spinous process.
6. The facet replacement system of claim 5 wherein the first attachment mechanisms connect to the same spinous process.
7. The facet replacement system of claim 5 wherein the second attachment mechanisms connect to the different spinous processes of a common vertebra.
8. A prosthetic device for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic device comprising: means for providing one or more flexible posterior devices to replace main functions of the facet joint; and means for adapting a first one of the one or more posterior devices for a first attachment to a first transverse process, and a second attachment to a second transverse process.
9. The prosthetic device of claim 8 further comprising: means for removing at least a portion of the facet joint.
10. The prosthetic device of claim 8 further comprising: <Desc/Clms Page number 14> means for adapting a second one of the one or more posterior devices for attachments to articular processes.
11. The prosthetic device of claim 8 further comprising: means for adapting a second one of the one or more posterior devices for attachments to spinous processes.
12. The prosthetic device of claim 8 further comprising: means for adapting a second one of the one or more posterior devices for attachments to laminae.
13. A posterior device for replacing functions of a facet joint, the posterior device comprising: a first component comprising: an elongated body; and a first joint having a first opening wherein the first opening contains an elastic material; a second component comprising: an elongated body; and a second joint having a second opening wherein the second joint is coupled with the first joint, and the second opening contains the elastic material; and a connector covering the fist joint and the second joint wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.
14. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the first component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device.
15. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the second component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device. <Desc/Clms Page number 15> 16. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the connector is olive-shaped.
17. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angel of approximately 45 to the horizon to simulate the orientation of the facet joint.
18. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 60 to an axial plane and 20 to an frontal plane of a human body.
19. The posterior device of claim 13 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 90 to an axial plane and 45 to an frontal plane of a human body.
20. An anterior prosthetic device system for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the anterior prosthetic device system comprising: means for providing one or more flexible anterior devices to replace main functions of the facet joint ; and means for adapting a first one of the one or more anterior devices for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies.
21. The anterior prosthetic device system of claim 20 further comprising: means for removing at least a portion of the facet joint.
22. The anterior prosthetic device system of claim 20 further comprising: means for adapting a second one of the one or more anterior devices for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies.