Patent ID: 8465526

Claim:
A spine stabilization system for flexibly stabilizing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the system comprising: a flexible coupling member extending from a first end portion to a second end portion along a longitudinal axis; a first attachment portion coupled to the flexible coupling member; a second attachment portion coupled to the flexible coupling member; a first resilient member coupled to the flexible coupling member and positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion; a second resilient member coupled to the flexible coupling member and positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion; wherein the first attachment portion is coupled to the flexible coupling member such that relative motion between the first attachment portion and the flexible coupling member is permitted after implantation of the spine stabilization system; wherein the first and second attachment portions compress the second resilient member when the first and second attachment portions move towards each other, and wherein the first end and first attachment portions compress the first resilient member when the first and second attachment portions extend away from each other; a first fixation member for connecting the first attachment portion to the first vertebra; and a second fixation member for connecting the second attachment portion to the second vertebra, wherein at least one of the first end portion and second end portion is rigidly fixed to the flexible coupling member, wherein a portion of at least one of the first and second attachment portions pierces the flexible coupling member, wherein the portion of the at least one of the first and second attachment portions that pierces the flexible coupling member comprises a pair of arms that extend downward from an upper portion of the at least one of the first and second attachment portions to engage a lower portion of the at least one of the first and second attachment portions to allow unidirectional piercing of the flexible coupling member.