Patent ID: 7753937
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A bilateral facet prosthesis system for replacing facets of a mammalian vertebra, the system comprising: a first prosthesis mountable to a vertebra proximate a first facet of an adjacent vertebra, the first prosthesis having a first articulating surface for articulating against the first facet of the adjacent vertebra and a first mounting feature, wherein, when the first prosthesis is mounted to the vertebra and the first articulating surface articulates against the first facet of the adjacent vertebra, the mounting feature is on the posterior side of the first prosthesis; a second prosthesis mountable to the vertebra proximate a second facet of the adjacent vertebra, the second prosthesis having a second articulating surface for articulating against the second facet of the adjacent vertebra and a second mounting feature, wherein, when the second prosthesis is mounted to the vertebra and the second articulating surface articulates against the second facet of the adjacent vertebra, the mounting feature is on the posterior side of the second prosthesis; and a crosslink adjustably attachable to the first and second mounting features to extend between the first and second prostheses to fix a displacement between the first and second prostheses at any of a plurality of displacement values, wherein the crosslink provides at least one of cephalad-caudal and anterior-posterior adjustability between the relative positions of the first and second prostheses; wherein, when the prostheses are mounted to the vertebra proximate the facets of the adjacent vertebra and the articulating surfaces articulate against the facets of the adjacent vertebra, the system provides relative axial rotation between the vertebra and the adjacent vertebra.