Patent ID: 7655044

Claim:
A prosthetic facet joint device comprising: a) a first component adapted for fixation to a first vertebra comprising: i) a first side, and ii) a second side facing away from the first side, iii) a first central region, and iv) first and second lateral arms extend laterally from the first central region, and b) a second component adapted for fixation to a second vertebra comprising: i) a first side, and ii) a second side facing away from the first side, iii) a first central region, and iv) first and second lateral arms extend laterally from the first central region, and wherein the first side of the first component opposes the first side of the second component at a first location to form a first interface, and wherein the second side of the first component opposes the second side of the second component at a second location to form a second interface, wherein the second side of the first component opposes the second side of the second component at a third location to form a third interface, and c) a first compression resistance means associated with the first interface, and d) a second compression resistance means associated with the second interface, and e) a third compression resistance means associated with the third interface, wherein the lateral arms of the first component form a concave profile having a first radius, wherein the central region of the first component forms a concave profile having a second radius, wherein the second radius is smaller than the first radius, wherein the central region has a general U-shape having an apex, and wherein central region further comprises an extension extending laterally from the apex.