Patent ID: 8007519
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A spinal stabilization apparatus, comprising: first and second vertebral anchors, each of the first and second vertebral anchors having a head portion and a bone attachment portion extending from the head portion along a longitudinal axis to a tip of the bone attachment portion; and a flexible construct extending between the first and second vertebral anchors, the flexible construct including first and second spring arms forming a generally V-shape, the first spring arm having a first end coupled to the head portion of the first vertebral anchor and the second spring arm having a first end coupled to the head portion of the second vertebral anchor, a second end of the first spring arm being coupled to a second end of the second spring arm at a ball-and-socket joint, the first and second spring arms capable of flexing toward and away from each other during movement of the spine; wherein the ball-and-socket joint allows relative rotational motion of the first spring arm relative to the second spring arm about an axis of rotation passing through the ball-and-socket joint that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first and second vertebral anchors and parallel to the spine; and wherein the axis of rotation of the ball-and-socket joint is positioned closer to the tips of the first and second vertebral anchors than the first ends of the first and second spring arms coupled to the head portions of the first and second vertebral anchors are.