Patent ID: 8246684

Claim:
An intervertebral disc and facet joint prosthesis, comprising: an intervertebral disc prosthesis element including an upper rigid disc prosthesis endplate, a lower rigid disc prosthesis endplate, and a core interposed between and attached to said rigid endplates, and at least one facet joint prosthesis element, each facet joint prosthesis element including an upper facet joint prosthesis component and a lower facet joint prosthesis component, said upper facet joint prosthesis component being constructed to cooperate with its respective lower facet joint prosthesis component, and at least said lower facet joint prosthesis component being rigidly fixed to the corresponding endplate by a respective rigid coupler, wherein said upper facet joint prosthesis component is generally conical, with a generally conical external surface and a tapered internal cavity adapted to be implanted on a tapered resected portion of an inferior articular process of a vertebra, said lower facet joint prosthesis component comprises a cup having an inner surface designed and configured to cooperate with said external surface of said upper facet joint prosthesis component and a base portion designed and configured for mounting on a vertebra, and said lower facet joint prosthesis component and said respective rigid coupler therefor are configured to be secured to each other at an adjustable angle.