Method and apparatus for replacing the function of facet joints

1. 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.

2. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the first component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device.

3. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the second component further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device.

4. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the connector is olive-shaped.

5. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 45° to the horizon to simulate the orientation of the facet joint.

6. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 60° to an axial plane and 20° to an frontal plane of a human body.

7. The posterior device of claim 1 wherein the first component and the second component are coupled at an angle of approximately 90° to an axial plane and 45° to an frontal plane of a human body.

8. A prosthetic device for replacing functions of a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic device comprising:

one or more flexible posterior devices configured to replace main functions of the facet joint, having a first biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a first transverse process, and a second biocompatible attachment device configured to attach to a second transverse process, and wherein the one or more flexible posterior devices includes a joint component positioned between the first and second biocompatible attachment devices,

wherein the one or more flexible posterior devices comprises:

a first elongated body; and

a second elongated body,

wherein the joint component includes:

a first element associated with the first elongated body, the first element having a first opening, and

a second element associated with the second elongated body, the second element having a second opening, wherein the second element is coupled with the first element by an elastic material disposed in both the first and second openings; and

a connector covering the first element and the second element wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.

9. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the first elongated body further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device.

10. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the second elongated body further comprises a pointed tip adapted for percutaneous insertion of the posterior device.

11. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the connector is olive-shaped.

12. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the first elongated body and the second elongated body are coupled at an angle of approximately 45° to the horizon to simulate the orientation of the facet joint.

13. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the first elongated body and the second elongated body are coupled at an angle of approximately 60° to an axial plane and 20° to an frontal plane of a human body.

14. The posterior device of claim 8 wherein the first elongated body and the second elongated body are coupled at an angle of approximately 90° to an axial plane and 45° to an frontal plane of a human body.

15. 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 biasing 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 that flexes to impart flexibility to the flexible member, the elastic material being 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 the superior and inferior vertebrae; and

a connector covering the first joint element and the second joint element, wherein the connector comprises the elastic material.