Patent ID: 8252027

Claim:
A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet joint that controls motion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the system comprising: a left fixation member implantable in a left pedicle of the second vertebra; a right fixation member implantable in a right pedicle of the second vertebra; a crosslink, wherein the crosslink comprises a half-pipe body; a left inferior facet joint implant comprising: a left inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural left inferior articular surface of the second vertebra; a left inferior strut comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is securable to the left fixation member and the second end is connectable to the crosslink; and a left attachment mechanism; and a right inferior facet joint implant comprising: a right inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural right inferior articular surface of the second vertebra; a right inferior strut comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is securable to the right fixation member and the second end is connectable to the crosslink; and a right attachment mechanism; wherein each attachment mechanism comprises a saddle oriented posteriorly to permit insertion of the crosslink into the saddle from a posterior approach; wherein each attachment mechanism is actuatable from an adjustable configuration, in which the position and/or orientation of the corresponding inferior articular surface and/or the second end of the corresponding inferior strut is adjustable relative to the crosslink, and a locked configuration in which the second end, the corresponding inferior articular surface, and the crosslink are rigidly secured to each other.