Patent ID: 8216275

Claim:
A band assembly for restricting flexion of a spinal segment, said assembly comprising: a first inelastic cable adapted to extend over a superior surface of a first spinous process; a second inelastic cable adapted to extend under an inferior surface of a second spinous process; opposite ends of a first elastic member connectable between a first end of the first inelastic cable and a first end of the second inelastic cable, wherein said first elastic member elastically limits spreading apart of said first ends of said inelastic cables; and opposite ends of a second elastic member connectable between a second end of the first inelastic cable and a second end of the second inelastic cable, wherein said second elastic member elastically limits spreading of said second ends of said inelastic cables; wherein said first elastic member and second elastic member are connected only by the first and second inelastic cables and are capable of being positioned on opposite sides of the spinous processes with the inelastic cables engaging said superior and inferior surfaces of the spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of the segment without restricting extension.