Patent ID: 7658739

Claim:
An apparatus for retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship, comprising: a first fastener having a threaded shank for engaging a vertebral portion and having an enlarged head; a first housing having a first passage and a second passage having a longitudinal axis extending transverse to the first passage, said first fastener extending through an opening in the housing into the second passage; a second fastener having a threaded shank for engaging a vertebral portion and having an enlarged head; a second housing having a first passage and a second passage having a longitudinal axis extending transverse to the first passage, said second fastener extending through an opening in the housing into the second passage; a longitudinal member having a first end and a second end and comprising a plurality of thin sheets, the longitudinal member configured to extend between the first passage of the first housing and the first passage of the second housing; a first clamping device coupled with the first housing and configured to secure the first end of the longitudinal member to the first housing; and a second clamping device coupled with the second housing and configured to secure the second end of the longitudinal member to the second housing while allowing the thin sheets to slide relative to each other and relative to the second housing.