Patent ID: 9636145
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of stabilizing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the method comprising: providing an elongate connection element extending from a first end portion to a second end portion along a longitudinal axis, the first and second end portions interconnected by a flexible coupling member, the elongate connection element comprising a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion, a first resilient member positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion, and a second resilient member positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion; connecting the first attachment portion to a first fixation member comprising a first head having a first channel such that the first attachment portion is received in the first channel, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a pair of deflectable arms; and connecting the second attachment portion to a second fixation member comprising a second head having a second channel such that the second attachment portion is received in the second channel, wherein the elongate connection element permits motion of the first attachment portion relative to the second attachment portion, the first and second attachment portions compress the second resilient member when the first and second attachment portions move towards each other, and the first end and first attachment portions compress the first resilient member when the first and second attachment portions extend away from each other.