Patent ID: 7553320

Claim:
A surgical implant for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the surgical implant comprising: a first biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a first pedicle of a superior vertebrae; a second biocompatible attachment device for attaching to a second pedicle of an inferior vertebrae; and a flexible member attached to the first and second biocompatible attachment devices configured in a manner to allow motion at the facet joint; wherein the first and second biocompatible attachment devices are positioned, and the flexible member is adapted, so that the surgical implant applies a distracting force between the superior and inferior vertebrae sufficient for maintaining the first and second pedicles at a spaced-apart distance, wherein the flexible member includes: a first component comprising: an elongated body and a first joint element having a first opening; a second component comprising: an elongated body and a second joint element having a second opening wherein the second joint element is coupled with the first joint element; an elastic material disposed through both the first and second openings in a manner that dynamically secures the first and second components together and elastically flexes in a manner that permits relative movement between the first and second components; and a connector covering the first joint element and the second joint element, wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.