FACET ARTHROPLASTY DEVICES AND METHODS
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 . An article comprising:
a posterior spinal prosthesis comprising a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to a spinal structure, said unitary body comprising a single flexure assembly centrally positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member.
2 . The article according to claim 1 , wherein said flexure assembly comprises a first joint member that has a convex contour that articulates with a second joint member that has a curved contour that corresponds to and glides over the convex contour of the first joint member.
3 . The article according to claim 2 , wherein said curved contour of second joint member is a concave contour.
4 . The article according to claim 1 , wherein said flexure assembly is adapted to flex omnidirectionally.
5 . The article according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of pedicle screws attached to or integrally formed with said spinal prosthesis.
6 . An article comprising:
a posterior spinal prosthesis comprising a body with at least three attachment points attachable to a spinal structure, said body comprising a single flexure assembly centrally positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member.
7 . The article according to claim 6 , wherein said flexure assembly comprises a first joint member that has a convex contour that articulates with a second joint member that has a curved contour that corresponds to and glides over the convex contour of the first joint member.
8 . The article according to claim 7 , wherein said curved contour of second joint member is a concave contour.
9 . The article according to claim 6 , wherein said flexure assembly is adapted to flex omnidirectionally.
10 . The article according to claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of pedicle screws attached to or integrally formed with said spinal prosthesis.