U.S. patent application number 13/073731 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for facet joint fusion devices and methods.
Invention is credited to Todd F. Alamin, Uriel Hiram Chee.
Application Number | 20110172712 13/073731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35785703 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110172712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chee; Uriel Hiram ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
FACET JOINT FUSION DEVICES AND METHODS
Abstract
A method for promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing a facet
joint between two adjacent vertebrae comprises clamping the two
adjacent vertebrae across the facet joint to apply a compressive
force across the joint. Apparatus for promoting fusion of and/or
stabilizing a facet joint comprises at least one cinchable tether
and at least one locking member coupled with the tether for locking
the cinched tether to maintain compressive force across the facet
joint. The tether is adapted to extend through at least one hole
through each of two adjacent vertebrae, across the facet joint.
Inventors: |
Chee; Uriel Hiram; (Santa
Cruz, CA) ; Alamin; Todd F.; (Woodside, CA) |
Family ID: |
35785703 |
Appl. No.: |
13/073731 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11155077 |
Jun 16, 2005 |
7935136 |
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13073731 |
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60581196 |
Jun 17, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/263 ; 606/80;
606/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/842 20130101;
A61B 17/7053 20130101; A61B 17/7064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/263 ; 606/80;
606/87 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/70 20060101
A61B017/70; A61B 17/16 20060101 A61B017/16; A61B 17/56 20060101
A61B017/56 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for promoting fusion of a facet joint between two
adjacent vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: at least one
cinchable tether adapted to extend through at least one hole
through each of two adjacent vertebrae, across the facet joint; a
first bone surface contacting member slidably coupled with the
tether for contacting a first of the two vertebrae external to the
facet joint; a second bone surface contacting member coupled with
the tether for contacting a second of the two vertebrae external to
the facet joint, wherein cinching the tether applies compressive
force between the first and second bone surface contacting members
across the facet joint; and at least one locking member coupled
with the tether for locking the cinched tether to maintain
compressive force across the facet joint.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
bone surface contacting members each comprise a plate having at
least one hole allowing for passage of the tether.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a second cinchable
tether, wherein each plate comprises two holes allowing for passage
of the two tethers.
4. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the plates are curved to
conform to surfaces of the two vertebrae.
5. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the plates are malleable to
conform to surfaces of the two vertebrae.
6. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein each of the plates comprises: a
rigid portion; and a malleable portion for contacting a surface of
one of the vertebrae.
7. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the plates comprise at least
one material selected from the group consisting of titanium,
titanium alloys, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloy, carbon
filled PEEK, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, silicone,
polyurethane and SEBS-based materials.
8. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises
primarily radiolucent materials or including at least one
radiopaque marker.
9. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a curved bone
contacting member adapted to wrap around surfaces of the two
vertebrae adjacent the facet joint, wherein cinching the tether
compresses the curved bone contacting member to apply compressive
force across the facet joint.
10. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the tether is selected from
the group consisting of a cord, a cable, a suture, a wire and a
T-tag.
11. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the tether comprises at least
one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel,
titanium, Nitinol, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,
cobalt-chromium alloy, PTFE, and PET.
12. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises at least one crimping member coupled at or near
both ends of the tether and slidable along at least one end of the
tether.
13. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises: at least a first locking member coupled with the
tether at or near a first end of the tether; and at least a second
locking member coupled with tether at or near a second end of the
tether, wherein the first and second locking members lock
together.
14. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises: a lasso member coupled with one end of the
tether; and a rivet slidably coupled with the tether and adapted to
engage and lock with the lasso.
15. A system for promoting fusion of a facet joint between two
adjacent vertebrae, the system comprising: a facet joint clamping
device comprising at least one cinchable tether adapted to extend
through at least one hole through each of two adjacent vertebrae,
across the facet joint; and a drill for forming the at least one
hole through the two vertebrae.
16. A system as in claim 15, further comprising at least one
locking member coupled with the tether for locking the cinched
tether to maintain compressive force across the facet joint.
17. A system as in claim 15, further comprising at least one
cinching tool for applying force to the cinchable tether.
18. A system as in claim 15, wherein the cinching tool is adapted
to apply at least one locking member to the cinchable tether to
maintain the force applied to the tether.
19. A system as in claim 15, wherein at least one of the clamping
device and the drill are calibrated to form the at least one hole
through the vertebrae so as to realign the two vertebrae when the
cinchable tether is passed therethrough.
20. A system as in claim 15, further comprising an access device
for providing access to the two vertebrae.
21. A system as in claim 20, wherein the access device provides for
percutaneous access to the two vertebrae.
22. A system as in claim 20, wherein the access device provides for
open surgical access to the two vertebrae.
23. A system as in claim 15, further comprising at least one bone
preparation device for preparing one or more bone surfaces within
the joint by removing at least one of cartilage or bone.
24. A system as in claim 23, wherein the bone preparation device
comprises: a flexible cutting guide; and a cutting device passable
over the cutting guide, wherein the guide and the cutting device
are adapted to remove cartilage from the bone surfaces while
minimizing removal of bone.
25. A system as in claim 15, further comprising at least one fusion
promoting material adapted for insertion into the joint to promote
fusion of the joint.
26. A system as in claim 15, wherein the clamping device further
comprises at least a first bone surface contacting member slidably
coupled with the tether for contacting a first of the two vertebrae
external to the facet joint.
27. A system as in claim 26, wherein the clamping device further
comprises a second bone surface contacting member coupled with the
tether for contacting a second of the two vertebrae external to the
facet joint, wherein cinching the tether applies compressive force
between the first and second bone surface contacting members across
the facet joint.
28. A system as in claim 27, wherein each of the first and second
bone surface contacting members comprises a plate having at least
one hole allowing for passage of the tether.
29. A system as in claim 15, wherein the clamping device further
comprises a curved bone contacting member adapted to wrap around
surfaces of the two vertebrae adjacent the facet joint, wherein
cinching the tether compresses the curved bone contacting member to
apply compressive force across the facet joint.
30. A system as in claim 15, wherein the tether is selected from
the group consisting of a cord, a cable, a suture, a wire and a
T-tag.
31. A system as in claim 15, wherein the tether comprises at least
one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel,
cobalt-chromium alloy, titanium, Nitinol, ultra-high molectular
weight polyethylene, cobalt-chromium alloy, PTFE, and PET.
32. A system as in claim 15, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises at least one crimping member coupled at or near
both ends of the tether and slidable along at least one end of the
tether.
33. A system as in claim 15, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises a T-tag locking member.
34. A system as in claim 15, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises: at least a first locking member coupled with the
tether at or near a first end of the tether; and at least a second
locking member coupled with tether at or near a second end of the
tether, wherein the first and second locking members lock
together.
35. A system as in claim 15, wherein the at least one locking
member comprises: a lasso member coupled with one end of the
tether; and a rivet slidably coupled with the tether and adapted to
engage and lock with the lasso.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/155,077 (Attorney Docket No. 022307-000110US), filed on Jun. 16,
2005, which claimed the benefit of provisional application
60/581,196 (Attorney Docket No. 022307-000100US), filed on Jun. 17,
2004, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to medical devices, methods
and systems. More specifically, the invention relates to devices,
methods and systems for promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing a
facet joint of a spine.
[0003] Approximately 80% of Americans experience at least a single
episode of significant back pain in their lifetime. For many
people, back pain is a chronic, often debilitating disorder. The
direct costs of treating back pain, as well as the indirect costs,
such as lost wages and decreased productivity, are staggering.
[0004] Although back pain may be caused by a number of different
factors, many cases of back pain are caused by conditions related
to the spinal (or "vertebral") column. The vertebral column is made
up of bones (vertebrae) and intervertebral discs that reside in the
joint spaces between the vertebral bodies of the vertebrae. Three
joints reside between every two adjacent vertebrae--one larger
intervertebral joint between the two intervertebral bodies and two
facet joints located posterolaterally relative to the vertebral
bodies. These three joints share the load applied between every set
of two vertebrae. Many spinal ailments are caused by degeneration,
injury or deformity of these vertebral joints and/or intervertebral
discs.
[0005] Treatment of spinal pain typically begins with conservative,
non-surgical methods, such as rest, heat, analgesics, physical
therapy and manipulation. Unfortunately, however, conservative
treatments fail in a significant number of spinal pain patients,
and surgery is often required. Current surgical procedures for
treating intervertebral disc and joint maladies include
decompressive surgery, in which all or part of an intervertebral
disc and/or the spinal laminae and facets are removed,
decompression with fusion of the joint (or "arthrodesis"), and
arthrodesis alone. Intervertebral joint arthrodesis involves fusing
two adjacent vertebrae to stop the motion between those
vertebrae.
[0006] Decompression (removal of structures compressing the spinal
nerves including laminae, facet joints and/or intervertebral discs)
is a very common surgical procedure that is very effective in
promptly relieving significant pain derived from pressure on spinal
nerve roots ("radicular" pain). The overall success rates for
decompression alone, however, range from 48% to 89%. Spinal fusion
is sometimes needed in combination with decompression to more
successfully treat spinal pain.
[0007] Intervertebral fusion is designed to stop the motion at a
painful vertebral joint, which in turn should decrease pain
generated from the joint. It is also performed to stabilize an
unstable intervertebral segment, which if left unfused, could cause
recurrent compression of the spinal nerves. Fusion procedures
involve adding bone graft to an area of the spine to set up a
biological response that causes the bone graft to grow between the
two vertebral elements and thereby stop the motion at that segment.
Often, some type of support structure is attached to the two
vertebrae being fused, to hold the vertebrae in a stable position
relative to one another while the bone graft material causes
fusion. Typical support structures, for example, include bone
screws (or "pedicle screws") attached to rods. Discectomy combined
with fusion has been the most common surgical treatment for
symptomatic cervical spondylosis for over 40 years. Good to
excellent results have been reported in 52-100% of anterior lumbar
interbody fusions and 50-95% of posterior lumbar interbody
fusions.
[0008] A number of different spinal fusion surgical procedures are
currently in use. The most common fusion procedure performed in
lumbar surgery is posterolateral intertransverse fusion. Although
the technique is often quite successful, the standard procedure
often causes significant trauma to the paraspinous muscles. These
muscles must be stripped from the transverse processes and
retracted for an extended period of time to expose the underlying
bone, which can result in denervation, devascularization, and
ischemia of these important muscles, leading to atrophy and
necrosis. Significant spasm in the short term and atrophy and
necrosis in the long term contribute to the morbidity and sequelae
of fusion. The clinical effect of this muscle morbidity can be
significant postoperative pain and functional impairment in the
convalescent period, as well as permanent impairment of paraspinal
lumbar muscular function.
[0009] Other surgical techniques for performing spinal fusion are
associated with similar and/or additional risk factors. For
example, posterior lumbar interbody fusion ("PLIF") achieves fusion
by inserting bone grafts, titanium threaded cages, bone dowels, or
carbon fiber spacers filled with bone graft into an intervertebral
disc space. All PLIF techniques require removal of the posterior
bone of the spinal canal (laminectomy), retraction of the nerves
and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, any of
which may cause complications. Another procedure, anterior lumbar
interbody fusion ("ALIF"), is similar to PLIF, except that in ALIF
the disc space is fused by approaching the spine through the
abdomen instead of through the back. An additional, and potentially
significant, risk of ALIF is potential damage to abdominal
structures, such as the large arteries that supply blood to the
legs.
[0010] As mentioned above, with many spinal fusion procedures, some
type of support structure, such as screws, rods, pins, cages and/or
the like, is used to hold the adjacent vertebrae in place while
they are fusing together with the help of the bone graft, bone
adhesive, or the like. One of the primary risks of fusion surgery
is that a solid fusion will not be obtained ("nonunion"), thus
requiring further surgery. One of the main challenges of
intervertebral fusion surgery is to stabilize the vertebrae long
enough, using the support structure(s), so that they have time to
fuse. Another challenge is actually applying the support structure
properly. Pedicle screws, for example, may often be effective at
providing support during intervertebral fusion, but they can be
difficult to place properly, and if misplaced may cause nerve root
and/or vascular injury.
[0011] As the population continues to age, surgical procedures for
fusing and/or stabilizing vertebrae will become ever more common.
Therefore, a need exists for improved techniques, devices and
systems for performing such procedures. Such improved methods and
devices should ideally facilitate and/or enhance intervertebral
fusion, while preventing or reducing the prevalence of
complications or sequelae. Ideally, minimally invasive procedures
would be developed that would provide stabilization of an
intervertebral joint for a sufficient period of time to allow the
vertebrae to fuse. Also ideally, such procedures would be
relatively simple to use. At least some of these objectives will be
met by the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Methods, devices and systems of the present invention
promote fusion of and/or stabilize an intervertebral facet joint.
Methods generally involve clamping two vertebrae across a facet
joint to apply compressive force to the joint. Devices include one
or more cinchable tethers, which in various embodiments may be
passed through a hole extending through two vertebrae and/or may
circumscribe the two vertebrae. Some embodiments also include one
or more bone surface contacting members, such as plates, washers or
the like, which enhance the ability of the cinchable tether to
apply compressive force. One advantage of various embodiments of
the invention is that they may be used to promote fusion and/or
stabilization of one or more facet joints using a minimally
invasive or less invasive procedure. In various embodiments, either
percutaneous or open surgical approaches may be used. In a number
of embodiments, techniques and devices of the invention may be used
with other currently available devices or systems.
[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for
promoting fusion of a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae
involves clamping the two adjacent vertebrae across the facet joint
to apply a compressive force across the joint. In some embodiments,
the method further involves forming at least one hole through the
two vertebrae across the facet joint. In such embodiments, clamping
involves advancing a tether through the hole across the joint.
Clamping may further involve cinching the tether to apply the
compressive force, though cinching is not required in all
embodiments.
[0014] In some embodiments, the hole extends through a first of the
two vertebrae along a first axis and through a second of the two
vertebrae along a second axis, so that advancing the tether through
the hole causes the vertebrae to translate relative to each other.
This "offset-hole" technique allows a surgeon to realign the
vertebrae while also promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing the
joint. In some embodiments, two holes are formed through the two
vertebrae across the facet joint, and a separate tether is advanced
through each of the two holes. Alternatively, two holes may be
formed through the two vertebrae across the joint, and one tether
may be advanced through both holes. In various other embodiments,
any other suitable combination of holes and tether(s) may be
used.
[0015] Optionally, a first bone surface contacting member slidably
coupled with the tether may be contacted with a first of the two
vertebrae, before the cinching step. The method may further
comprise contacting a second bone surface contacting member
slidably coupled with the tether with a second of the two
vertebrae, also before the cinching step. One or more bone
contacting members, such as plates, washers or the like, may help
distribute force applied by the cinchable tether to more
effectively apply compressive force across the joint.
[0016] The method may further include locking the cinched tether to
maintain the compressive force across the facet joint. In some
embodiments, two ends of the cinched tether overlap, and locking
the cinched tether comprises locking the two ends together. For
example, locking the two ends together may involve crimping at
least one crimping member coupled with the two ends. In another
embodiment, locking the two ends together involves locking two
locking members together, each locking member being coupled with
one of the two ends of the tether. In some embodiments, cinching
and locking the tether(s) may be performed with the same tool,
while in other embodiments separate tools may be used.
[0017] In some embodiments, rather than forming a hole through the
vertebrae, clamping may involve circumscribing the joint with a
tether disposed over the vertebrae. In some cases, such a tether
may be cinchable for applying the compressive force. Optionally,
the method may further include contouring external surfaces of the
vertebrae to enhance engagement of the tether with the
surfaces.
[0018] In yet another embodiment, clamping comprises engaging a
clamping device with external surfaces of the vertebrae across the
joint. Alternatively, clamping may comprise releasing a
shape-memory or spring-loaded clamping device from constraint to
clamp the vertebrae and apply the compressive force.
[0019] The method may optionally further include preparing at least
one opposing surface of the two vertebrae, within the facet joint,
by removing cartilage from the surface. Another optional step may
include inserting at least one material into the facet joint to
promote joint fusion. Such material(s) may include, for example,
autologous bone, bone allograft, bone adhesive, bone morphogenic
protein and/or bone growth promoting materials. In various
embodiments, any of the above method steps may be performed
percutaneously or as part of an open surgical procedure. The fusion
promoter may optionally be placed in a reservoir or depot to
provide controlled release over time and/or infusion of new bone
growth into a matrix. The reservoir is appropriately shaped to fit
the prepared surface. The reservoir might be made from known
bioresorbable implantable materials, such as collagen, gelfoam, and
copolymers of poly lactic and poly glycolic acid. Preparing the
surface might involve removing cartilage and some of the bone at
the surface to attain an appropriate geometry that fits the
reservoir.
[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
applying force across a facet joint between two vertebrae involves
forming at least a first hole through the two vertebrae across the
facet joint, advancing a first tether through the first hole across
the joint, and cinching the tether. As with the above method, this
technique may optionally further include contacting one or more
bone surface contacting members slidably coupled with the tether
with one or both of the two vertebrae. In one embodiment, two
washers slidably disposed over the tether are contacted with
surfaces of the two vertebrae outside the facet joint. The method
may also include locking the cinched tether to maintain the force
across the facet joint. Any of the features described above may be
applied to this method, according to various embodiments.
[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a method for stabilizing
a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae comprises clamping the
two adjacent vertebrae across the facet joint to apply a
compressive force across the joint. Another alternative to
stabilize the joint is to place an elastomer insert into a prepared
surface (after removal of cartilage and some bone) and subsequently
apply force to the joint to "sandwich" the elastomer insert. The
insert is made from known implantable elastomers such as
polyurethane or silicone. The elastomer insert allows some motion
at the joint. Again, any of the features described above may be
applied to this method.
[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, apparatus for
promoting fusion of a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae
comprises at least one cinchable tether adapted to extend through
at least one hole through each of two adjacent vertebrae across the
facet joint and at least one locking member coupled with the tether
for locking the cinched tether to maintain compressive force across
the facet joint. Some embodiments further include at least a first
bone surface contacting member slidably coupled with the tether for
contacting a first of the two vertebrae external to the facet
joint. The apparatus may further include a second bone surface
contacting member coupled with the tether for contacting a second
of the two vertebrae external to the facet joint. In such
embodiments, cinching the tether applies compressive force between
the first and second bone surface contacting members across the
facet joint.
[0023] In some embodiments, each of the first and second bone
surface contacting members comprises a plate having at least one
hole allowing for passage of the tether. Some embodiments include
two cinchable tethers, and each plate includes two holes allowing
for passage of the two tethers. Optionally, the plates may be
curved to conform to surfaces of the two vertebrae. In some
embodiments, the plates are malleable to conform to surfaces of the
two vertebrae. Alternatively, the plates may be completely rigid,
or each plate may include a rigid portion and a malleable portion
for contacting a surface of one of the vertebrae. Any suitable
materials may be used to manufacture the plates, such as but not
limited to titanium, titanium alloys, stainless steel,
cobalt-chromium alloy, carbon filled PEEK, ultra-high molecular
weight polyethylene, silicone, polyurethane, SEBS-based materials
and/or the like. (SEBS-based materials are a family of
thermoplastic synthetic rubber materials, with SEBS standing for
styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene). In some embodiments, the
apparatus may be made predominantly of radiolucent materials, with
one or more radiopaque markers facilitating visualization of the
device. In other embodiments, the apparatus (or one or more parts
of the apparatus) may be made of radiopaque materials.
[0024] Some embodiments include a curved bone contacting member
adapted to wrap around surfaces of the two vertebrae adjacent the
facet joint. In these embodiments, cinching the tether compresses
the curved bone contacting member to apply compressive force across
the facet joint. Optionally, at least part of the bone contacting
member may be malleable to conform to the surfaces of the two
vertebrae.
[0025] The tether (or tethers) may have any suitable length,
diameter, configuration or the like, and may be made of any
suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments,
for example, the tether may comprise a cord, cable, suture, wire,
T-tag or the like. Materials used to form a tether may include, but
are not limited to, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloy,
titanium, Nitinol, ultra-high molectular weight polyethylene,
cobalt-chromium alloy, PTFE, PET and/or the like.
[0026] Similarly, the locking member (or multiple locking members)
may have any suitable size, shape and configuration and may be made
of any suitable material(s). In one embodiment, the locking member
comprises at least one crimping member coupled at or near both ends
of the tether and slidable along at least one end of the tether. In
another embodiment, the locking member comprises a T-tag. In yet
another embodiment, the locking member comprises at least a first
locking member coupled with the tether at or near a first end of
the tether and at least a second locking member coupled with tether
at or near a second end of the tether, wherein the first and second
locking members lock together. In another embodiment, locking
member comprises a lasso member coupled with one end of the tether
and a rivet slidably coupled with the tether and adapted to engage
and lock with the lasso.
[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, a clamping
device for stabilizing a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae
includes at least one bone surface contacting member for engaging
at least one of the two vertebrae and at least one cinchable tether
slidably coupled with the bone surface contacting member and
passable through a hole extending through each of the two
vertebrae, across the facet joint. The cinchable tether and the
bone surface contacting member are adapted to apply compressive
force across the facet joint. In various embodiments, this
apparatus may have any of the features described above.
[0028] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for
promoting fusion of a facet joint between two adjacent vertebrae
includes a facet joint clamping device and a drill for forming the
at least one hole through the two vertebrae. The facet joint
clamping device includes at least one cinchable tether adapted to
extend through at least one hole through each of two adjacent
vertebrae, across the facet joint. Optionally, the clamping device
may further include any of the device features described above.
[0029] In some embodiments, the clamping device, the drill or both
are calibrated to form the at least one hole through the vertebrae
so as to realign the two vertebrae when the cinchable tether is
passed therethrough. The system may optionally further include an
access device for providing access to the two vertebrae. In various
embodiments, the access device may provide for percutaneous access
or open surgical access to the two vertebrae.
[0030] The system may also include one or more bone preparation
devices for preparing one or more bone surfaces within the joint by
removing at least one of cartilage or bone. In one embodiment, for
example, a bone preparation device comprises a flexible cutting
guide and a cutting device passable over the cutting guide, with
the guide and the cutting device adapted to remove cartilage from
the bone surfaces while minimizing removal of bone. In some
embodiments, the system further includes at least one fusion
promoting material adapted for insertion into the joint to promote
fusion of the joint.
[0031] These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are
described further below with reference to the drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0032] FIG. 1 is a posterior perspective view of a lumbar portion
of a vertebral column, with fusion/stabilization devices attached
across two facet joints according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a superior view of a lumbar vertebra and part of
an adjacent vertebra, with the fusion/stabilization device of FIG.
1 attached across the facet joints;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a lateral view of two adjacent vertebrae, with the
fusion/stabilization device of FIG. 1 attached across the facet
joints;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clamping device including
a tether and locking member, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective and end-on views,
respectively, of the locking member of FIG. 4;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clamping device including
a tether and locking members according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two bone surface contacting
members according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 6A are end-on views of three sizes of bone surface
contacting members according to three different embodiments of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a tether
extending through apertures on two bone surface contacting members
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a superior view of a lumbar vertebra and part of
an adjacent vertebra, with a fusion/stabilization device applied to
two facet joints according to another embodiment of the invention;
and
[0042] FIG. 9 is a superior view of a lumbar vertebra and part of
an adjacent vertebra, with a fusion/stabilization device applied to
two facet joints according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates an elastomeric insert for facet joint
fusion.
[0044] FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate alternative embodiments of
elastomeric inserts and reservoirs for facet joint fusion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] FIG. 1 is a posterior perspective view of the most inferior
four lumbar vertebrae (L2-L5) and a portion of the sacrum S.
Attached across the two facet joints F between the L4 and L5
vertebrae is a clamping device 10 according to one embodiment of
the present invention. Each clamping device 10 includes a tether 12
and two bone surface contacting members 14 (only one contacting
member 14 is visible for each device 10 in FIG. 1.) As is described
in further detail below, two holes are drilled through each of the
facet joints F of L4 and L5, tethers 12, coupled with bone
contacting members 14, are passed through the holes, and tethers 12
are cinched to apply compressive force across the facet joints F,
thus promoting fusion of and/or stabilizing the joints F.
[0046] FIGS. 2 and 3 provide superior and lateral views,
respectively, of clamping device 10 from FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, it can
be seen that tethers 12 extend through holes (dotted lines) in the
vertebrae L4, L5 and across the facet joints F. Typically, the
holes are drilled or otherwise formed through the superior
articular process SAP of the inferior vertebrae (in this case L5)
and through the inferior articular process IAP of the superior
vertebrae (in this case L4). Of course, clamping device 10 may be
applied across one or more facet joints of any two vertebrae, and
its use is in no way limited to lumbar vertebrae or any other
vertebrae. Additionally, if holes are formed to apply clamping
device 10, they may be formed through any suitable part of adjacent
vertebrae in order to cross the facet joints F, and in various
embodiments such holes may pass through only one articular process,
or through neither articular process.
[0047] Once tether 12 is passed through one or more holes in two
vertebrae L4, L5 and bone surface contacting members 14 are engaged
with vertebral bone, tether 12 is typically cinched, to apply
compressive force against the facet joint F, and locked, to
maintain the force. Thus, clamping device 10 may suitably include
one or more locking members 16 for locking the cinched tether 12.
Locking member 16 may comprise any suitable device for maintaining
the force of cinched tether, as will be described in further detail
below.
[0048] In various embodiments, each bone surface contacting member
14 may include one aperture or hole for passage of tether 12, two
holes, or more than two holes. Furthermore, clamping device 10 may
include one tether 12 or multiple tethers 12, in various
embodiments. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, one tether 12
extends through both holes on the two bone surface contacting
members 14 of each device 10.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a tether 12,
slidably coupled with a locking member 16, is shown. Locking member
16 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In various
embodiments, tether 12 may be made of any of a number of suitable
materials, such as but not limited to stainless steel,
cobalt-chromium alloy, titanium, Nitinol, ultra-high molectular
weight polyethylene, cobalt-chromium alloy, PTFE or PET. Locking
member 16 may similarly be made of any suitable material. In one
embodiment, locking member 16 made of a material that allows it to
be crimped to lock the two ends of tether 12. In various
embodiments, locking member 16 may be fixedly attached to one end
of tether and slidable over the other end, or may be slidable over
both ends of the tether. Generally, locking member may have any
suitable shape, size or configuration, according to various
embodiments.
[0050] For example, and with reference now to FIG. 5, in one
embodiment a tether 22 is coupled at one end with a lasso-like
circular locking member 24, and a rivet 26 is slidably disposed
over the other end of tether 22. Rivet 26 may be advanced over
tether 22 into the opening of circular member 24, and circular
member 24 may then be crimped down to lock over rivet 26.
Alternatively, rivet 26 may be sized to lock within circular member
24 without crimping. In various embodiments, any other suitable
locking member(s) may be included, such as T-tags, snap-fit locking
members, pressure-fit members or the like.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 6, bone surface contacting members 14
may have any suitable shape, size and configuration and may be made
of any suitable material or combination of materials. In some
embodiments, contacting members 14 are completely rigid, while in
other embodiments they may be partly or completely malleable. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, some embodiments include a rigid outer layer
17 or shell coupled with a malleable inner layer 15 for contacting
bony surfaces of vertebrae. Examples of materials from which bone
surface contacting members 14 may be constructed include, but are
not limited to, titanium, titanium alloys, stainless steel,
cobalt-chromium alloy, carbon filled PEEK, ultra-high molectular
weight polyethylene, silicone, polyurethane and SEBS-based
materials. Contacting members 14 may have two apertures 19 for
slidably passing along tether 12, or may have one aperture 19 or
any other suitable number.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, in various embodiments bone
surface contacting members 14A-14C may have any of a number of
suitable sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, a number of
differently shaped contacting members 14A-14C may be provided in a
kit, so that members 14A-14C may be selected based on the size and
shape of the vertebrae on which they are to be placed. In
alternative embodiments, contacting members 14 may be formed as
washers, plates or the like, and may be flat or curved. In one
embodiment, a single curved plate is used, rather than two
contacting members 14, the curved plate adapted to wrap around two
vertebrae adjacent the facet joint.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows tether 12 extending through two bone surface
contacting members 14. Again, in various embodiments, multiple
tethers 12 may be used, one, two or any suitable number of
contacting members 14 may be used, and/or the like.
[0054] In an exemplary method for using clamping device 10 to
promote facet joint fusion and/or stabilization, a first step
involves gaining access to the facet joint(s) to be
fused/stabilized. Access may be gained via any suitable technique
and route, using any suitable devices or systems. For example, some
suitable access methods will be minimally invasive and
percutaneous, while others may involve open surgical approaches. In
some embodiments, currently available minimally invasive access
systems, such as the MAST.TM. system provided by Medtronic, Inc. or
the ATAVI.TM. system provided by Endius, Inc. may be used.
[0055] Once access is gained, some embodiments involve preparing
the surfaces of the facet joint by removing cartilage. In
alternative embodiments, currently available devices, such as
curettes, may be used for such preparation, or specialized facet
joint preparation devices, such as a flexible cutting guide and a
cutter, may be used. One or more holes may then be formed through
adjacent vertebrae across the facet joint(s). Holes may be formed
using currently available drilling devices, such as the
CurveTek.TM. bone tunneling system provided by Arthrotek, Inc., or
alternatively by any other suitable device(s). In some instances, a
hole may be formed so that it is offset through one vertebra
relative to the adjacent vertebra. When tether 12 is then extended
through the offset holes and cinched, the facets translate relative
to one another, thus realigning the joint. Thus, in some
embodiments, realignment as well as fusion/stabilization may be
achieved. Some embodiments include jigs, calibrations and/or the
like to facilitate offsetting of holes between vertebrae.
[0056] Once the holes are formed in two adjacent vertebrae, one or
more tethers 12 are passed through the holes. One or more bone
surface contacting members 14 may be passed along each tether 12 to
contact the vertebrae. Tether 12 is then cinched and locked with
one or more locking members 16 to apply and maintain compressive
force across the joint.
[0057] If joint fusion is desired, at any suitable point in the
process one or more joint fusion materials may be placed in the
joint, between the two articular surfaces. Such materials may
include, for example, autologous bone, bone allograft, bone
adhesive, bone morphogenic proteins and/or bone growth promoting
material(s).
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment of the
invention, no holes are placed through the vertebrae. Instead, one
or more tethers 32 are wrapped or circumscribed around the
vertebrae adjacent the facet joint F and then cinched to apply
compressive force across the joint. Tethers 32 may be coupled with
one or more locking members 36 to retain force across the joint F.
In various embodiments, bone surface contacting members may or may
not be used. Some embodiments further include preparing external
surfaces of the vertebrae to enhance engagement of tether(s) 12
with the vertebrae, for example by forming one or more troughs 38
or paths for holding tether(s) 12.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment may involve
releasing a shape-memory or spring-loaded clamping device 42 from
constraint to engage the vertebrae adjacent a facet joint F and to
apply compressive force across the joint. Clamping device 42 may be
made of any suitable shape-memory material, such as Nitinol, or may
be spring loaded in a delivery device.
[0060] FIG. 10 shows a superior view of the facets with inserts 100
at the joints which are held together by tethers 10 and washers.
The insert may comprise a reservoir 106 which optionally includes
or provides an elastomeric insert. FIGS. 11A-11E show two
embodiments of the reservoir/elastomer insert. The first embodiment
shows an insert 110 with a central hole 112 to pass a tether
through. The number of holes depends on the number of tethers. If
the insert is a reservoir then it would be made of a bioresorbable
material. The insert 110 is made from an elastomer in instances
where the joint is being stabilized but not fused. The second
embodiment 120 (FIGS. 11D and 11E) includes a channel 122 on both
surfaces of the insert that face the bone. The channel 122 serves
as a reservoir for fusion enhancing substances as an alternative to
sponge-like bioresorbable matrices.
[0061] Although the foregoing is a complete and accurate
description of the present invention, a number of various
additions, changes or the like may be made to various embodiments
described above without departing from the scope of the invention.
Therefore, the description above is provided primarily for
exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope
of the invention as it is set forth in the claims.
* * * * *