Patent ID: 7458981
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for restricting flexion of a spinal segment comprising: providing first and second implant components, each implant component comprising an inelastic cable having a free end region and an elastic member coupled to the inelastic cable away from the free end region; accessing a segment of a spine comprising a first vertebrae with a spinous process and a second vertebrae with a spinous process, wherein said spinous processes are separated by a space and the spinal segment undergoes extension and flexion causing the spinous processes to move into and away from the space, respectively; positioning the first implant component such that the free end region of the inelastic cable is disposed over a top of the spinous process of the first vertebrae and orienting the elastic member of the first implant component along one side of the space between the spinous processes of the first and second vertebrae; positioning the second implant component such that the free end region of the inelastic cable is disposed over a bottom of the spinous process of the second vertebrae and orienting the elastic member of the second implant component along an opposite side of the space between the spinous processes, wherein the first and second implant components are not attached to each other prior to positioning; forming the first and second implant components into a loop structure by connecting the free end region of the inelastic cable of the second implant component with the elastic member of the first implant component and by connecting the free end region of the inelastic cable of the first implant component with the elastic member of the second implant component, the loop structure thereby encircling the spinous processes of the first and second vertebrae, wherein the loop structure is formed after the first and second implant components have been positioned over the spinous processes; and adjusting the tightness of the loop structure over the spinous processes to elastically limit spreading of the spinous processes and flexion of the spinal segment, wherein the elastic members lie outside of the space between the spinous processes to thereby allow substantially unrestricted extension of the spinal segment.