Patent ID: 8523907

Claim:
A facet replacement device adapted to engage a laminar surface on a first spinal vertebra and a second laminar surface on a second spinal vertebra, the device comprising: an upper clamp adapted to attach to the laminar surface on the first spinal vertebra; and a lower clamp, adapted to engage the upper clamp, adapted to attach to the laminar surface on the second spinal vertebra, wherein the upper clamp is configured with a slot for receiving a portion of the lower clamp thereby enabling the lower clamp to slide within the slot of the upper clamp, wherein the upper clamp articulates with respect to the lower clamp, wherein the upper clamp is separate from the lower clamp, wherein the upper clamp includes a first contact surface adapted to contact the first spinal vertebra and the lower clamp includes a second contact surface adapted to contact the second spinal vertebra.