Patent ID: 8043337
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An implant comprising: a first bone anchor including, a second bone anchor including, a flexible horizontal rod connected to the first head of the first bone anchor and the second head of the second bone anchor; wherein the first head of the first bone anchor and the second head of the second bone anchor are spaced apart along the flexible horizontal rod by an adjustable distance; wherein the adjustable distance can be reduced in order to cause the first engaging surface of the first bone anchor to engage the first lateral surface of a vertebra and cause the second engaging surface of the second bone anchor to engage the second lateral surface of the same vertebra and thereby secure the flexible horizontal rod to the vertebra; and a third bone anchor adapted to be attached to a first portion of another vertebra; a fourth bone anchor adapted to be attached to a second portion of the same another vertebra; another flexible horizontal rod connected to the third bone anchor and the fourth bone anchor; and a rigid vertical rod; the rigid vertical rod connected between the flexible horizontal rod and the another flexible horizontal rod; wherein the rigid vertical rod is connected to the flexible horizontal rod at a position about halfway between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor and spaced from the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor; and wherein the rigid vertical rod is connected to the another flexible horizontal rod at a position about halfway between the third bone anchor and the second bone anchor and spaced from the third bone anchor and the fourth bone anchor.