Patent ID: 7854752

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a spine; said method comprising: creating two holes, each hole laterally created through adjacent spinal processes; positioning a pair of dynamic stabilizers such that one stabilizer is on either side of said spinous process, wherein each of said dynamic stabilizers comprise a first portion and a second portion positioned and configured with respect to said first portion such that the combined longitudinal lengths of the combined first and second portions contract and expand non-linearly along a controlled curvilinear path to maintain a center of rotation; inserting a connecting rod through one of said holes such that said connecting rod centers one end of each of said stabilizers with respect to said hole; positioning said pair of dynamic stabilizers such that the vertebrae to which they are attached move along a natural arc in flexion and extension upon implantation; coupling said connecting rod to one end of each stabilizer so that said stabilizers tightly contact said spinous process on each side thereof; repeating said inserting and coupling with respect to the other of said holes; and moving a stop on said dynamic stabilizers after said coupling to control in part the distraction force on a spine.