Patent ID: 7377921

Claim:
A damping system comprising: a damping element including two spring elements coaxial with or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the damping element, and two axially mounted end connectors wherein: the first spring element comprises a helical spring having a helical slot and a central cavity, the second spring element is disposed within the cavity of the first spring element and comprises an elastically deforming, helical elevation which is received within the first spring element and a central borehole coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the damping element, the first end connector having a central borehole which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the damping element, the second end connector being linked to the first spring element; and at least two bone fixation elements selected from the group consisting of pedicle screws and pedicle hooks, wherein each of the bone fixation elements includes a duct for receiving the end-side connectors so that the damping element can span adjacent vertebra.