Patent ID: 7763051

Claim:
A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, comprising: positioning a central spacer of a stabilization device between posterior elements of adjacent vertebrae; and attaching a first pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the central spacer to pedicles on a superior vertebra; attaching a second pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the central spacer to pedicles on an inferior vertebra; wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second pairs of arms is pliable to provide resistance to movement of the adjacent vertebrae; and wherein attaching arms extending from opposed sides of the central spacer to at least one of the adjacent vertebrae comprises attaching a first portion of a first arm to a first vertebra and attaching a first portion of a second arm to the first vertebra, wherein a second portion of each of the first and second arms engages a spinous process of a second vertebra that is adjacent to the first vertebra.