Patent ID: 7875077
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An artificial spinal joint for creating a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising: an anterior joint replacement component comprising a ball and socket joint and a laterally facing outer surface, the ball and socket joint comprising a socket having an open lateral side portion flush with the laterally facing outer surface and comprising a curved protrusion having a lateral sidewall forming a part of the laterally facing outer surface, a radius of curvature of the curved protrusion closely matching a radius of curvature of the socket; a bridge coupled to the anterior joint replacement and extending posteriorly from the anterior joint replacement beyond one or both generally cylindrical body portions of a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra; a posterior joint replacement component coupled to the bridge, wherein the posterior joint replacement component includes a rostral component and a caudal component, and wherein one of the rostral component and the caudal component is arranged to extend further posteriorly than the other one of the rostral component and the caudal component; and a support tab coupled to the anterior joint replacement component and arranged to engage a posterior surface of the generally cylindrical body portion of the superior vertebra.