Facet Joint Implant Crosslinking Apparatus and Method

摘要

A crosslink is provided for securing orthopedic implants, such as facet joint replacement implants, together. The crosslink has a pair of implant coupling components, a pair of rod coupling components, a rod, and a pair of fasteners. Each facet joint implant may include a semicylindrical interface received in a resilient member of the corresponding implant coupling component to permit relative cephalad/caudal adjustment between the crosslink and the implants. The resilient members grip the semicylindrical interface of the implant to enable at least temporary attachment of the implant coupling components to the implants independently of the rod. Clocking features on the semicylindrical interfaces and on the interfacing areas of the implant coupling components and rod coupling components may limit assembly of the crosslink to discrete relative orientations and prevent play after assembly. The fasteners secure the rod coupling components to the rod at the desired positions along the rod.

主权项

1. A facet joint implant apparatus comprising:
a first facet joint replacement having a first mounting portion configured to be attached to a first portion of a vertebra, a first articulation portion configured to articulate with an adjacent natural or artificial facet, and a first crosslink coupling feature; a first implant coupling component comprising a first resilient member having a first coupling interface, wherein the first coupling interface snaps onto the first crosslink coupling feature to secure the first implant coupling component to the first facet joint replacement; a first rod coupling component attachable directly to the first implant coupling component; a second facet joint replacement having a second mounting portion configured to be attached to a second portion of the vertebra and a second articulation portion configured to articulate with an adjacent natural or artificial facet, and a second crosslink coupling feature; a second implant coupling component comprising a second resilient member having a second coupling interface, wherein the second coupling interface snaps onto the second crosslink coupling feature to secure the second implant coupling component to the second facet joint replacement; a second rod coupling component attachable directly to the second implant coupling component; and a rod extending from the first rod coupling component to the second rod coupling component to secure the first facet joint replacement to the second facet joint replacement.