Patent ID: 8097022

Claim:
A spinal stabilization system, comprising: a first elongated stabilization member extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end; a second elongated stabilization member extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end; and a coupling member extending between a first end and an opposite second end, the coupling member including at least a deformable hinge portion disposed between first and second body portions of the coupling member, the coupling member including at least a first receptacle for receiving the first end of the first stabilization member and a second receptacle for receiving the second end of the second stabilization member so the first and second stabilization members are engaged in end-to-end relationship with the first stabilization member extending in a first direction away from the coupling member and the second stabilization member extending in a second direction away from the coupling member, wherein the second direction is generally opposite the first direction, wherein the deformable hinge portion forms a groove in the coupling member that defines a width between the first and second body portions, the groove including a bottom surface connecting the first and second body portions with the bottom surface recessed at a depth below adjacent exterior surfaces of the first and second body portions so that a cross-section of the coupling member through the deformable hinge portion is smaller than cross-sections of the first and second body portions adjacent to the groove.