Patent ID: 7905905

Claim:
An implantable spinal mobility preservation apparatus, comprising: an intermediate body having a proximal end and a distal end and including at least one flexible element positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the intermediate body defining an intermediate lumen; a proximal body having a first retention structure, the proximal body secured to the proximal end of the intermediate body; a distal body having a second retention structure, the distal body secured to the distal end of the intermediate body; and a stiffening member removably positioned within at least a portion of the intermediate lumen to increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element, the stiffening member sized to engage at least a portion of an inner surface defining one of the proximal lumen and the intermediate lumen to reduce the flexibility of the at least one flexible element and wherein at least the intermediate body and the proximal body are adapted to receive the stiffening member after implantation, wherein the stiffening member is threadingly engaged with the proximal body.