Patent ID: 8470002

Claim:
A method of treating a deformity in bony members comprising: attaching a tether to a first bony member with a first anchor; attaching the tether to a second bony member with a second anchor; positioning a release mechanism comprising an absorbable button having apertures operatively connected to the tether by threading the tether through the apertures to form a curved section between the apertures, said release mechanism is positioned between the first and second anchors such that a length of the tether remains substantially constant until the release mechanism absorbs into the body; and after the tether has been attached to the first and second anchors for an extended period of time, the release mechanism is absorbed into the body causing the tether to straighten and increase in length between the first and second anchors while the tether and release mechanism are in situ and as the release mechanism is absorbed into the body.