Patent ID: 7282064

Claim:
An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra comprising: a pair of first components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of said first vertebra, respectively; a pair of second components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of said second vertebra, respectively; and wherein each of said first components comprises a body and a male articulation member attached to said first component body and each of said second components comprises a body and a female articulation member attached to said second component body and wherein said first components are articulately connected to said second components by engaging said male articulation members to said female articulation members, thereby articulately connecting said first vertebra to said second vertebra along lines left and right of said midlines, respectively; and wherein said male articulation member comprises a hook and said female articulation member comprises a loop.