Patent ID: 7815680

Claim:
A vertebral implant comprising: a first plate; a flexible coupling coupled to said first plate; a second plate coupled to said flexible coupling, wherein said flexible coupling comprises a first rigid link affixed to said first plate such that, when said first rigid link is affixed to said first plate, said first rigid link and said first plate form a unitary structure not affixed to said second plate and a second rigid link affixed to said second plate such that, when said second rigid link is affixed to said second plate, said second rigid link and said second plate form a unitary structure not affixed to said first plate; said first rigid link and said second rigid link being movably interconnected with each other; and wherein said first rigid link and said second rigid link define clearance within said flexible coupling such that ranges of motion of said flexible coupling include at least longitudinal, transverse, and combinations thereof and wherein said first link comprises a chain link and said second link comprises a chain link.