Patent ID: 8118842

Claim:
A spine implant comprising: a first bone anchor adapted for mounting in a first pedicle of a first vertebra, the first bone anchor having a first head; a second bone anchor adapted for mounting in a second pedicle of a second vertebra, the second bone anchor having a second head; a third bone anchor adapted for mounting in a third pedicle of a third vertebra, the third bone anchor having a third head; a vertical rod; the vertical rod having a first portion comprising a pivotable joint; the vertical rod having a second portion rigidly mounted to the second head of the second bone anchor and a third portion rigidly connected to the third head of the third bone anchor to thereby immobilize the third vertebra relative to the second vertebra; a deflectable rod having a first end secured to the first head of the first bone anchor; the deflectable rod having a deflectable end capable of deflecting relative to the first end in response to a load applied to the deflectable end; the deflectable end of the deflectable rod being connected to the pivotable joint of the vertical rod to thereby stabilize the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra while providing for movement of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra by deflection of the deflectable rod.