Patent ID: 7776090

Claim:
A facet joint implant adapted to correct spinal stenosis and other ailments of a spine, the implant comprising: a first facet joint spacer adapted to be positioned within a first facet joint formed by two adjacent spinal vertebrae of a first level of the spine, so as to allow mobility of the first facet joint; a second facet joint spacer adapted to be positioned within a second facet joint formed by the two adjacent spinal vertebrae of the first level of the spine so as to allow mobility of the second facet joint; and an elongate collar joining the first facet joint spacer with the second facet joint spacer, the collar having a length sufficient for bridging between the first facet joint and the second facet joint, wherein the collar further comprises a first bore positioned adjacent to the first facet joint spacer, and a second bore positioned adjacent to the second facet joint spacer, the first bore capable of accepting a first bone screw and the second bore capable of accepting a second bone screw, adapted to secure the implant to the vertebrae; wherein the implant is adapted to be implanted without resection of bone; wherein the collar extending medially along a lamina of a posterior arch, wherein the implant is adapted to allow mobility of a first and second cervical facet joints and wherein the implant is adapted to distract the first and second cervical facet joints and to increase the foraminal dimension.