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Facet fusion implants and methods of useRelated Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Implantable Prosthesis, Bone, Spine BoneFacet fusion implants and methods of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070250166, Facet fusion implants and methods of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The human spine serves many functions. The vertebral members of the spinal column protect the spinal cord. The spinal column also supports other portions of the human body. Furthermore, moveable facet joints and resilient discs disposed between the vertebral members permit motion between individual vertebral members. Each vertebrae includes an anterior body and a posterior arch. The posterior arch includes two pedicles and two laminae that join together to form the spinous process. A transverse process is laterally positioned at the transition from the pedicles to the laminae. Both the spinous process and transverse process provide for attachment of fibrous tissue, including muscle. Two inferior articular processes extend downward from the junction of the laminae and the transverse process. Further, two superior articular processes extend upward from the junction. The articular processes of adjacent vertebrae form the facet joints. The inferior articular process of one vertebra articulates with the superior articular process of the vertebra below. The facet joints are gliding joints because the articular surfaces glide over each other. [0002] Vertebral implants are often used in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders such as degenerative disc disease, disc herniations, curvature abnormalities, and trauma. Many different types of treatments are used. In some cases, spinal fusion is indicated to inhibit relative motion between vertebral bodies. Spinal fusion often involves the removal of the vertebral disc and insertion of an interbody implant to create a fused junction between a pair of vertebral bodies. Furthermore, the facet joints may be fused to complete the fusion between vertebral pairs. Facet fusion often involves destruction of the facet by decorticating the opposing articulating surfaces and packing bone growth promoting substances such as grafts or synthetic materials into the space between the articular processes. The facet joints are generally small as compared to the intervertebral space. Consequently, limited amounts of bone-growth promoting substances may be inserted into the joint. Some of the bone-growth promoting substances tend to disperse post-operatively resulting in a less robust fusion. Furthermore, the overlying fibrous tissue may further disperse the bone-growth promoting substances as a result of contact, friction, and/or the ingrowth of fibrous mass. These and other factors may result in pseudarthrosis or inadequate fusion. SUMMARY [0003] Illustrative embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an implant that is insertable onto a vertebral facet joint. The implant includes a body with an inner bone-contact surface that is configured to fuse with the articular processes. The inner surface may define an interior cavity that is configured to accept at least a portion of an inferior articular process and a superior articular process forming the facet joint. The inner surface may include curved and/or planar portions. The body may be constructed of a bone growth material that fuses with the articular processes. The implant body may be constructed from manufactured materials that include bone growth promoting materials and/or bone ingrowth promoting features. [0004] The implant may be used in conjunction with bone growth promoting materials that are packed into the facet joint. The implant may help retain the bone growth promoting substance between the articulating surfaces of the facet joint. The implant may also protect the bone growth promoting substance from adjacent muscle compression and fibrous tissue invasion and may improve bone fusion rate and size of the fusion mass. A receiving portion of an exterior surface of one or both articular process may be prepared to stimulate bone growth. The implant may be placed onto the receiving portion to cover an exterior junction between the articulating surfaces of the facet joint. The implant may be secured to one or both of the articular processes. For example, the implant may be staked, pinned, screwed, or adhered to the exterior of one or both articular processes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a facet implant according to one embodiment shown relative to vertebral bodies; [0006] FIG. 2 is a section view according to the section lines in FIG. 1; [0007] FIG. 3 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a facet implant according to one embodiment; [0009] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a facet joint showing the preparation of a receiving area about the exterior of the articular processes according to one embodiment; [0010] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0011] FIG. 7 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a facet implant according to one embodiment; [0013] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a facet joint showing the preparation of a receiving area about the exterior of the articular processes according to one embodiment; [0014] FIG. 10 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a facet implant according to one embodiment; [0016] FIG. 12 is a detail view of a facet joint showing the preparation of a receiving area about the exterior of the articular processes according to one embodiment; [0017] FIG. 13 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a facet implant according to one embodiment; [0019] FIG. 15 is a detail view of a facet joint showing the preparation of a receiving area about the exterior of the articular processes according to one embodiment; [0020] FIG. 16 is a detail view of a facet joint showing one embodiment of a facet implant; [0021] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a facet implant according to one embodiment; Continue reading about Facet fusion implants and methods of use... Full patent description for Facet fusion implants and methods of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Facet fusion implants and methods of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Facet fusion implants and methods of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Muscle-polymer constructs for bone tissue engineering Next Patent Application: Modular intervertebral implant Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Facet fusion implants and methods of use patent info. 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