Patent ID: 8262710

Claim:
A dynamic vertebral stabilization device for constraining motion of adjacent vertebrae, the stabilization device comprising: a first plate for positioning against a first vertebra, the first plate having a vertebral mating surface conforming to a first plane, and at least one elongated projection extending away from the vertebral mating surface, the at least one elongated projection having a free end; and a second plate for positioning against a second vertebra, the second plate having a vertebral mating surface conforming to a second plane that extends at an obtuse angle with respect to the first plane, and at least one thru-hole that enters the second plate through a first side of the second plate and exits the second plate through a second side of the second plate, the at least one thru-hole having a longitudinal axis forming an obtuse angle with the second plane, the at least one projection slideably carried in the at least one thru-hole to a position in which the at least one projection is inserted in the at least one thru-hole with the free end extending out of the at least one thru-hole and projecting from the second side of the plate, the at least one thru-hole allowing passage of the at least one projection through the second plate without bottoming out in the second plate, wherein a longitudinal axis of said first plate is non-parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of said second plate, and wherein said first plate includes a flange extending from its respective vertebral mating surface for positioning on a substantially planar surface or edge of a sacral vertebra, and wherein, in an assembled and installed state of the dynamic vertebral stabilization device, the dynamic vertebral stabilization device is configured to facilitate both compressive and expansive relative motion of the adjacent vertebrae without restriction.