Percutaneous facet fixation system

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/417,543, filed Oct. 10, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates generally to spine surgery and, in particular, to a percutaneous facet fixation system.

[0003] For patients with a high degree of spinal instability (e.g. fractures), or in revision surgery, a combination anterior/posterior fusion is indicated at one or more levels. Fusing both the front and back provides a high degree of stability for the spine and a large surface area for the bone fusion to occur. The disc may be approached either as an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), or as a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Both procedures are well known to those of skill in the art.

[0004] To further stabilize vertebral segments, posterior instrumentation is often performed in conjunction with an interbody fusion. The most commonly used posterior instrumentation system in use today is pedicle screw fixation. The major disadvantage to this technique is the necessity of major muscle dissection, which can lead to morbidity and scarring.

[0005] Facet screw fixation offers the advantage of placing a single screw across each articulating facet joint to immobilize a motion segment, thereby reducing the amount of hardware (and therefore exposure) necessary. Existing techniques, however, still demand relatively open procedures, such that the need remains for a facet fixation system compatible with minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures.

[0006] The present invention is a percutaneous system of facet fixation that is minimally invasive, reproducible, efficient, and effective. Capable of immediate stabilization of a facet joint complex, the instrumentation and methods may be used with C-arm and/or endoscopic visualization.

[0019] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a highly-simplified drawing that shows the facet joints 102, 102′ of a patient 100 to which this invention is applicable. The proximal spinous process is indicated at 104. The patient is placed in a prone position under general anesthetic. A C-arm is preferably utilized to determine fixation level and approach for incision.

[0020] A 1.0-inch incision 101 (or thereabouts) is made in midline over the proximal spinous process 104. (For L4-L5 fixation, the incision made over L4 spinous process.) As shown in FIG. 2, the spinous process removed to junction of lamina, allowing access angle to facet joints bilaterally.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing that shows the way in which a guide wire 312 is passed by C-arm or endoscopic guidance to a facet joint in conjunction with the lower arm of a facet gun 306 according to the invention. The lower arm of facet gun contains a deep locking nut 308 abutting lateral surface of the superior facet (L5). The deep locking nut is positioned in alignment with the guide wire 312 by C-arm past the facet joint.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing that shows the upper arm of the facet gun 310, including a locking nut 408, also inserted along the track of the guide wire of FIG. 3. The superficial locking nut 408 is inserted over the guide sleeve of lower arm, making contact with surface of inferior facet. As shown in FIG. 5, the handle of the facet gun compressed, holding the nuts 408, 308 onto upper and under surface of facet joint.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, a previously selected facet bolt, preferably with drill bit head 998 as shown in FIG. 12, is inserted into barrel of upper facet gun sleeve. The bolt is driven through superficial and deep nuts using a manually operated tool 606, passing through facet joint, locking into the superficial nut and compressing the joint together.

[0024] The upper arm of facet gun is disengaged in FIG. 7. The lower arm is pushed deeper, disengaging itself from the deep nut, and the arm and guide wire are removed as shown in FIG. 8. The procedure is then repeated for opposite side.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a drawing that shows an alternative nut useful in conjunction with the invention, including an optional wedge-shape and, independent of that, the use of fixation spikes 990 operative to dig into the bone, particularly during and after compression of the joint. FIG. 10 shows how the upper nut, in particular, may be replaced with a washer 992 devoid of threats. Optionally, as with the lower locking nut, the shape of the washer in FIG. 10 may be wedge-shaped or contoured to match the facet surface, and may include optional fixation spikes as well. FIG. 11 shows the way in which a bolt head 994 may seat inside of the top nut 996, and locking in position with click stops (not visible in the picture).