Patent ID: 8357183

Claim:
A system for correcting a spinal deformity, the system comprising: a rod adapted to extend along a spine of a patient; a first rod anchor adapted to be fixed to a first vertebra of the spine, the first rod anchor receiving the rod such that the rod is secured against substantial lateral translation relative to the first rod anchor and the rod is allowed to slide axially relative to the first rod anchor through a first pivot point and to change in at least two of pitch, yaw, and roll about the first pivot point; a second rod anchor adapted to be fixed to a second vertebra, the second rod anchor receiving the rod such that the rod is secured against substantial lateral translation relative to the second rod anchor and is allowed to change in at least pitch and yaw about a second pivot point; a first vertebral anchor adapted to be fixed to a third vertebra; a first adjustment mechanism; and a first force directing member coupled to the first vertebral anchor and the rod, the first force directing member defining an effective length between the first vertebral anchor and the rod, the first adjustment mechanism being adapted to modify the effective length of the force directing member.