Patent ID: 8715321

Claim:
A spinal implant comprising: an anchoring element configured to be received within a spinal facet joint and comprising: first and second end sides; first and second upper cross-members extending laterally between the first and second sides; and first and second tabs extending from the first and second upper cross members, respectively, the first and second tabs configured to engage opposing surfaces of a spinal facet joint; wherein the first upper cross member and the first tab form a generally smooth first elongated arc portion, and wherein the second upper cross member and the second tab form a generally smooth second elongated arc portion facing the first elongated arc portion; and a spinal fastener comprising: a first leg configured to abut a surface of an inferior articular process of a first vertebra that forms one portion of a spinal facet joint between the first vertebra and an adjacent second vertebra; a second leg configured to abut a surface of a superior articular process of the adjacent second vertebrae that forms another portion of the spinal facet joint between the first vertebra and the adjacent second vertebra; a fastener cross-member coupling the first and second legs and maintaining the first and second legs in a spaced-apart relationship; and a post configured to be inserted at least partially within the anchoring element and slidably received by the first and second elongated arc portions, wherein insertion of the post into the anchoring element causes a deflection of the first and second tabs outward relative to lateral sides of the anchoring element to a deflected position wherein the post is rotatable relative to the anchoring element when the first and second tabs are in the deflected position; the spinal implant restricting flexion and/or extension of the spinal facet joint when received about the spinal facet joint.