Patent ID: 9301787
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A medical apparatus, comprising: a first lateral support member and a second lateral support member, each lateral support member having a first end and a second end, with the first end and the second end configured for attachment to a first vertebra; a transverse connection member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the first end configured for coupling to the first lateral support member and the second end configured for coupling to the second lateral support member; a connector configured for coupling to the spinous process of a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra and configured to extend from the spinous process of the second vertebra in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse connection member; a first extension member having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion of the transverse connection member, and the second end pivotally coupled to the connector to provide pivotable movement of the first extension member about both a first axis defined by the transverse connection member and a second axis defined by the connector, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to both the transverse connection member and the direction that the connector extends from the second vertebra during use; and a second extension member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for coupling to the intermediate portion of the transverse connection member, and the second end configured for coupling to a third vertebra, wherein the third vertebra is adjacent the first vertebra and opposite the second vertebra; wherein the intermediate portion of the transverse connection member has substantially flat outer surfaces and is formed from an elastomeric material having a memory that is resiliently deformable to extend to a flexed position under a predetermined loading condition and to return to an original position to provide, along with the first extension member, an elastic structural bridge between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.