Patent ID: 7550010
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An artificial spinal joint for interposition at least partially within an intervertebral disc space between vertebral body portions of superior and inferior vertebrae, the artificial spinal joint comprising: a superior arthroplasty component comprising an upper anterior component, including an upper retaining member with an endplate engagement surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate of the superior vertebra, and an upper posterior component including an upper facet face, the upper posterior component connected to the upper anterior component and sized to extend posteriorly outside the intervertebral disc space; an inferior arthroplasty component comprising a lower anterior component, including a lower retaining member with an endplate engagement surface configured to engage a vertebral endplate of the inferior vertebra, and a lower posterior component including a lower facet face, the lower posterior component connected to the lower anterior component and sized to extend posteriorly outside the intervertebral disc space; a spacer component retained between the upper and lower retaining members and slidably movable with respect to at least one of the upper and lower retaining members, wherein the upper facet face is matingly and movably engaged with the lower facet face for preserving mobility of the superior vertebra with respect to the inferior vertebra.