Patent ID: 7708760

Claim:
An implantable device for dynamically stabilizing the spine, comprising: a first facet replacement member adapted to couple to a first vertebra and having at least one protrusion formed thereon; a second facet replacement member adapted to couple to a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, the second facet replacement member having at least one protrusion formed thereon that bears against the at least one protrusion on the first facet replacement member such that the first and second facet replacement members articulate with one another to control movement of the first and second vertebrae relative to one another; and at least one connector adapted to directly couple at least one of the first and second facet replacement members to a disc replacement member disposed between the first and second vertebrae; wherein the first and second facet replacement members are in the form of plates that are adapted to be positioned on a posterior surface of the first and second vertebrae.