FACET JOINT RESURFACING IMPLANT AND ASSOCIATED SURGICAL METHODS
The present invention provides devices and methods for resurfacing a facet joint of a spine of a patient, including: a first portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of a superior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient; and a second portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of an inferior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient; wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of movement with respect to the second portion. These devices and methods find applicability to other anatomical joints as well.
1 . A device for resurfacing a facet joint of a spine of a patient, comprising:
a first portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of a superior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient; and
a second portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of an inferior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient;
wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of movement with respect to the second portion.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of translational movement with respect to the second portion.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of compressive movement with respect to the second portion.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of expansive movement with respect to the second portion.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is allowed no movement with respect to the second portion.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each formed of a substantially pliable material.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each formed of a substantially rigid material.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a facet-engaging portion and an intra-facet portion.
10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the facet-engaging portion of each of the first portion and the second portion comprise one or more of a protruding structure, a recessed structure, a friction structure, and a bonding surface that is configured to engage one or more of a corresponding recessed structure, protruding structure, friction structure, and bonding surface formed into/on one of the superior facet and the inferior facet, respectively.
11 . A device for resurfacing a bony joint of a patient, comprising:
a first portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of a first bony structure of the bony joint of the patient; and
a second portion that is selectively coupled to an opposed surface of a second bony structure of the bony joint of the patient;
wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of movement with respect to the second portion.
12 . A method for resurfacing a facet joint of a spine of a patient, comprising:
selectively coupling a first portion to an opposed surface of a superior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient; and
selectively coupling a second portion to an opposed surface of an inferior facet of the facet joint of the spine of the patient;
wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of movement with respect to the second portion.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of translational movement with respect to the second portion.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of compressive movement with respect to the second portion.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion is allowed a predetermined degree of expansive movement with respect to the second portion.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion is allowed no movement with respect to the second portion.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each formed of a substantially pliable material.
19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are each formed of a substantially rigid material.
20 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a facet-engaging portion and an intra-facet portion.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the facet-engaging portion of each of the first portion and the second portion comprise one or more of a protruding structure, a recessed structure, a friction structure, and a bonding surface that is configured to engage one or more of a corresponding recessed structure, protruding structure, friction structure, and bonding surface formed into/on one of the superior facet and the inferior facet, respectively.