Method and apparatus for replacing the function of facet joints

Abstract

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.

1 . A surgical implant comprising:
 a first biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae;   a second biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae; and   a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices, the flexible member comprising a joint component and a flexible connector covering at least part of the joint component;   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 joint component is positionable between the first and second biocompatible attachment devices, and comprises a first element having a first opening and a second element having a second opening, and wherein elastic material is disposed between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical implant of  claim 1  wherein the flexible member further includes a first member connected between the first biocompatible attachment device and the joint component, and a second member connected between the second biocompatible attachment device and the joint component, and wherein the first and second members are connected together at the joint component. 
     
     
         5 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A spinal stabilization device comprising:
 a first component comprising:
 an elongated body; and 
 a first joint element having a first opening wherein the first opening contains an elastic material; 
   a second component comprising:
 an elongated body; and 
 a second joint element having a second opening wherein the second joint element is coupled with the first joint element, and the second opening contains the elastic material; and 
   a connector covering the first joint element and the second joint element wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.   
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the first component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the second component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the connector is olive-shaped. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 45.degree. to the horizon. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 60.degree. to an axial plane and 20.degree. to an frontal plane of a human body. 
     
     
         36 . The posterior device of  claim 30  wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 90.degree. to an axial plane and 45.degree. to a frontal plane of a human body. 
     
     
         37 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A spinal stabilization implant comprising:
 a first biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae;   a second biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae; and   a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices, the flexible member comprising a first component and a second component and an elastic connector, the elastic connector covering at least a part of the first component or the second component; wherein when the first and second biocompatible attachment devices are attached to the first and second pedicles, 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.   
     
     
         41 . The implant of  claim 40 , wherein the first component comprises a first joint element and the second component comprises a second joint element, and wherein the first joint element and the second joint element are connected. 
     
     
         42 . The implant of  claim 41 , wherein the elastic connector surrounds at least part of the first joint element and the second joint element. 
     
     
         43 . The implant of  claim 40 , wherein the first component comprises a tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the implant. 
     
     
         44 . The implant of  claim 40 , wherein the second component comprises a tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the implant. 
     
     
         45 . A flexible spinal stabilization device comprising:
 a first biocompatible attachment device,   a second biocompatible attachment device,   a joint component attached to the first and the second biocompatible attachment device, the joint component comprising:
 a first elongated body comprising a first joint element having a first opening, and 
 a second elongated body comprising a second joint element having a second opening, and 
   a connector comprising a flexible material,   
       wherein the first and second joint elements are covered by the connector and wherein elastic material is disposed between the first and second openings. 
     
     
         46 . The implant of  claim 45 , wherein the first elongated body comprises a tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the implant. 
     
     
         47 . The implant of  claim 45 , wherein the second elongated body comprises a tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the implant.