| abstract |
An artificial spinal joint (100) for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra is disclosed. The artificial spinal joint comprises a first arthroplasty half (102) comprising a first articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component (108,114) , and a first bridge component (110,116) coupled between the first articulating joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a second arthroplasty half (104) comprising a second articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component (148,154), and a second bridge component (150,156) coupled between the second articulating joint replacement component and the second posterior joint replacement component. The first articulating joint replacement component is engaged with the second articulating joint replacement component. |