Patent ID: 7618441

Claim:
A method for modifying the curvature of at least one vertebra that defines at least one concave side and at least one convex side of a spinal column, the method comprising: providing a distraction implant made of a shape memory material and having a central portion and at least two opposite legs, with each of the at least two legs having a distal end, and with the implant having a first shape, in a memorized state, and a second shape, in a deformed state, wherein the legs extend diverging from each other in said first shape; bringing the implant into said second shape; and implanting the distraction implant into the at least one vertebra by inserting the legs of the implant into the at least one vertebrae through the convex side of the spinal column defined by the at least one vertebra up to a position that the distal end of each leg is close to the concave side of the spinal column, with the legs extending in the second shape, whereby the legs in the deformed state, are fixed to the at least one vertebra and exert a distraction force in said concave side of the spinal column, wherein the distraction force exerted by the distraction implant allows the at least one vertebra to expand, at the concave side of the spinal column, in the direction of the distraction force to straighten the spinal column.