Patent ID: 8702760

Claim:
A dynamic stabilization system for stabilization of the spine, comprising: an elongated spinal rod configured to span between at least two vertebrae of the spine: at least two bone anchors, each having a bone engagement portion, at least one of said bone anchors includes a stem having a threaded portion and defining a slot sized to receive said spinal rod therethrough; and at least two connectors for connecting a corresponding one of said bone anchors to said spinal rod, at least one connector configured to substantially non-rigidly connect one of said bone anchors to said spinal rod including; a flexible element between the bone engagement portion of the bone anchor and the spinal rod to permit relative pivoting therebetween, said flexible element including a sleeve encircling said stem with at least a portion disposed in engagement with the spinal rod when the encircling said stem the rod extends through said slot; and an adjustment element for adjusting the flexibility of said flexible element, said adjustment element including a nut engaging said threaded portion and arranged to compress said sleeve against said rod as said nut is threaded onto said threaded portion.