Patent ID: 7799054

Claim:
An implant for stabilizing the spine, comprising: a first member having first and second lateral portions and a connecting member extending between and coupled to the first and second lateral portions, the first member being adapted to rigidly couple to a first vertebra; a second member having a first component adapted to rigidly mate to a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, and a second component slidably disposed through and movably coupled to the first component and the first member, and; at least one compressive member disposed between the first and second members and adapted to compress to limit extension of first and second vertebrae coupled to the first and second members; wherein the first and second members are adapted to allow flexion, extension, and lateral bending and to substantially restrict posterior-anterior shear and rotation of first and second vertebrae when the first member is rigidly coupled to the first vertebra and the first component of the second member is rigidly coupled to the second vertebra.