US 12,144,526 B2
Facet joint replacement device and methods of use
Christopher D. Sturm, Milton, WI (US); Shawn Van Dahm, Bolingbrook, IL (US); and Robert Jones, Cedar Park, TX (US)
Assigned to Facet Dynamics, Inc., St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed by Facet Dynamics, Inc., St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/967,111.
Application 17/967,111 is a continuation of application No. 16/808,203, filed on Mar. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,471,196.
Application 16/808,203 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/786,753, filed on Feb. 10, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/786,753 is a continuation of application No. 15/836,643, filed on Dec. 8, 2017, granted, now 10,555,761, issued on Feb. 11, 2020.
Application 15/836,643 is a continuation of application No. 15/472,021, filed on Mar. 28, 2017, granted, now 9,839,451, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/813,678, filed on Mar. 4, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/314,634, filed on Mar. 29, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0149052 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 17/84 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7064 (2013.01) [A61B 17/7058 (2013.01); A61B 17/84 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of replacing a facet joint, comprising:
introducing a facet joint replacement device into a body of a patient, the facet joint replacement device comprising an enclosing body and an articulating body positioned within an inner cavity of the enclosing body, wherein a device holder is coupled to the facet joint replacement device, the device holder comprising:
a shaft;
a handle positioned at a first end of the shaft; and
a fastening head positioned at a second end of the shaft, wherein the fastening head is positioned with respect to the enclosing body and the articulating body to constrain movement of the articulating body within the enclosing body;
securing the facet joint replacement device relative to a superior vertebral body and relative to an inferior vertebral body of the patient while the fastening head constrains movement of the articulating body within the enclosing body; and
disengaging the fastening head from the facet joint replacement device after securing the facet joint replacement device relative to the superior vertebral body and relative to the inferior vertebral body to allow movement of the articulating body within the enclosing body.