Patent ID: 7967844

Claim:
A multi-level spinal stabilization system, comprising: at least two X-shaped members, each X-shaped member having a central member with left and right superior arms extending from opposed lateral sides thereof and left and right inferior arms extending from the opposed lateral sides thereof, the left superior arm of a first X-shaped member being coupled to the left inferior arm of a second X-shaped member, the right superior arm of the first X-shaped member being coupled to the right inferior arm of the second X-shaped member, the left and right inferior arms of the first X-shaped member having free terminal ends configured to mate to bone anchors implanted in an inferior vertebra, and the left and right superior arms of the second X-shaped member having free terminal ends configured to mate to bone anchors implanted in a superior vertebra; wherein at least a portion of each X-shaped member is pliable such that, when the left and right inferior arms of the first X-shaped member are fixedly mated to an inferior vertebra and the left and right superior arms of the second X-shaped member are fixedly mated to a superior vertebra, the at least two X-shaped members allow controlled flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of the superior and inferior vertebra relative to one another; and wherein the at least two X-shaped members are a unitary molded composite structure formed from an elastomeric material.