Patent ID: 8753376

Claim:
Facet joint reconstruction apparatus adapted for fixation to the posterior aspect of a spine having a vertical midline between outward lateral sides, the apparatus comprising: a pair of gliding arms, including a first gliding arm disposed on one posterior side of the vertical midline and a second gliding arm disposed on a second posterior side of the vertical midline; each gliding arm having an upper end with a first coupling to an upper vertebral body and a lower end with a second coupling to a lower vertebral body; each gliding arm having a longitudinal axis that extends laterally outwardly and away from the midline at a non-zero angle; wherein, with the apparatus fully assembled and implanted, at least the first couplings of the gliding arms provide a limited degree of axial movement in multiple planes to facilitate flexion, extension, and lateral bending; and wherein the second coupling includes a slot on the gliding arm and a pedicle screw with a pin or ball that engages with the slot.