Patent ID: 8613757

Claim:
An intervertebral stabilization system comprising: a first vertebral fastener configured to be secured to a first vertebra; a second vertebral fastener configured to be secured to a second vertebra; a third vertebral fastener configured to be secured to a third vertebra; a rigid member including a rigid rod and having an end region including a first flange and a second flange spaced from the first flange by a medial portion, wherein the rigid member including the rigid rod, the first flange, the second flange and the medial portion is a single piece monolithic structure; and an elastic support system including a spacer and a flexible member sized to be inserted into the spacer; wherein the flexible member is connected to the rigid member at a connection location in the medial portion, wherein the end region of the rigid member includes a bore configured to receive an end of the flexible member, the bore having a length extending along a longitudinal axis of the medial portion, wherein the length of the bore is less than a length of the medial portion such that when the end of the flexible member is disposed in the bore, the end of the flexible member is positioned between the first and second flanges; wherein the rigid member, including the rigid rod, is positionable from the first vertebral fastener to the second vertebral fastener; wherein the flexible member is positionable between the second vertebral fastener and the third vertebral fastener; and wherein the connection location is positionable proximate the second vertebral fastener.