US 11,890,038 B2
Vertebral joint implants and delivery tools
Bruce M. McCormack, San Francisco, CA (US); Jeffrey D. Smith, Clayton, CA (US); Shigeru Tanaka, Half Moon Bay, CA (US); Edward Liou, Pleasanton, CA (US); Edward Fletcher Eyster, St. Helena, CA (US); Jonathan Carver, Millbrae, CA (US); Joshua Druker, Redwood City, CA (US); Martin Leugers, San Francisco, CA (US); Kurin Tu, San Mateo, CA (US); and Peter Lombrozo, Scotts Valley, CA (US)
Assigned to Providence Medical Technology, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by PROVIDENCE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,064.
Application 18/095,064 is a continuation of application No. 17/592,579, filed on Feb. 4, 2022.
Application 17/592,579 is a continuation of application No. 16/278,274, filed on Feb. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,272,964, issued on Feb. 23, 2022.
Application 16/278,274 is a continuation of application No. 15/198,718, filed on Jun. 30, 2016, granted, now 10,226,285, issued on Mar. 12, 2019.
Application 15/198,718 is a continuation of application No. 14/297,861, filed on Jun. 6, 2014, granted, now 9,629,665, issued on Apr. 25, 2017.
Application 14/297,861 is a continuation of application No. 13/627,825, filed on Sep. 26, 2012, granted, now 8,753,347, issued on Jun. 17, 2014.
Application 13/627,825 is a continuation of application No. 12/653,283, filed on Dec. 10, 2009, granted, now 8,425,558, issued on Apr. 23, 2013.
Application 12/653,283 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/455,814, filed on Jun. 5, 2009, granted, now 8,361,152, issued on Jan. 29, 2013.
Application 12/455,814 is a continuation of application No. 12/317,682, filed on Dec. 23, 2008, granted, now 8,267,966, issued on Sep. 18, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/169,601, filed on Apr. 15, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/109,776, filed on Oct. 30, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2023/0157734 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 17/17 (2006.01); A61B 17/86 (2006.01); A61B 17/88 (2006.01); A61F 2/46 (2006.01); H04L 45/00 (2022.01); H04L 45/02 (2022.01); H04L 45/28 (2022.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); H04W 28/04 (2009.01)
CPC A61B 17/7074 (2013.01) [A61B 17/025 (2013.01); A61B 17/1604 (2013.01); A61B 17/1659 (2013.01); A61B 17/1671 (2013.01); A61B 17/1735 (2013.01); A61B 17/1757 (2013.01); A61B 17/7064 (2013.01); A61B 17/863 (2013.01); A61B 17/8811 (2013.01); A61B 17/8819 (2013.01); A61B 17/8822 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); H04L 45/00 (2013.01); H04L 45/02 (2013.01); H04L 45/22 (2013.01); H04L 45/28 (2013.01); A61B 17/0642 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00424 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00429 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320028 (2013.01); A61B 2090/031 (2016.02); A61B 2090/034 (2016.02); A61B 2090/037 (2016.02); H04W 28/04 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for implanting an intra-facet implant into a cervical facet joint comprising an inferior articulating surface of an upper facet and a superior articulating surface of a lower facet, the method comprising:
using a posterior approach, positioning a distal portion of a guide tool at said facet joint, said guide tool comprising an internal lumen;
with a proximal portion of said implant releasably coupled to a distal portion of a delivery tool, delivering said implant through said internal lumen of said guide tool into said cervical facet joint, between said inferior articulating surface of said upper facet and said superior articulating surface of said lower facet,
wherein said implant further comprises an external thread extending along said implant from said proximal portion to said distal portion, wherein said external thread comprises a plurality of interruptions in the thread, along a length of the implant; and
detaching said implant from said delivery tool, wherein when the implant has been advanced into the cervical facet joint and then detached from said delivery tool, at least a first portion of said external thread engages with the inferior articulating surface of the upper facet and a second portion of said external thread engages with the superior articulating surface of the lower facet.