Patent ID: 8808336

Claim:
A modular orthopedic arthroplasty system for controlling relative motion between a first bone and a second bone, the orthopedic arthroplasty system comprising: a first anchor member shaped to bear against a first exterior bone surface on the first bone; a first elongated structure having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the first anchor member; a second anchor member shaped to bear against a second exterior bone surface on the second bone; a second elongated structure having a first end and a second end, the second end attached to the second anchor member; and a mobility structure positioned between the first elongated structure and the second elongated structure, the mobility structure allowing relative motion between the first bone and the second bone, the mobility structure having a superior bone-engaging surface and an inferior bone-engaging surface, the superior bone-engaging surface having a first attachment feature, the inferior bone-engaging surface having a second attachment feature, the mobility structure having a first bearing body, a first bearing surface, a second bearing body, and a second bearing surface shaped to bear against the first bearing surface to allow articulating relative motion between the first and second bearing surfaces, wherein the first bearing body is removably coupled to the first elongated structure and the second bearing body is removably coupled to the second elongated structure; wherein the second end of the first elongated structure is attached to the mobility structure at the first attachment feature, wherein the first end of the second elongated structure is attached to the mobility structure at the second attachment feature, wherein the first elongated structure and the second elongated structure are positioned along a straight trajectory, the trajectory oblique to the superior and inferior bone-engaging surfaces of the mobility structure at the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature.