Patent ID: 7815664
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spinal stabilization system, comprising: an elongate connecting element extending along a longitudinal axis between a rigid first end portion and a rigid second end portion, said connecting element including a flexible intermediate portion extending between and engaged to said first and second end portions; first, second and third anchors engageable to respective ones of first, second and third vertebrae when said second vertebra is located between the first and third vertebra, wherein said connecting element is engageable to said first, second and third anchors with said first end portion engageable to said first anchor and said second end portion engageable to at least said third anchor with said intermediate portion positioned between said first anchor and said second anchor; and a coupling member extending through said flexible intermediate portion and into said rigid first and second end portions, said coupling member including a first end fixedly engaged to one of said first and second end portions and said coupling member including a second end that is axially movable in the other of said first and second end portions to allow said first and second end portions to move toward one another, said second end of said coupling member including a stop member to limit movement of said first and second end portions away from one another.