Patent ID: 8092499

Claim:
An apparatus for treatment of a body having a skeletal curvature comprising: a rod capable of being attached to at least two vertebrae of the spine; which rod, under fluid pressure, moves from a first position to an extended position; which extended position straightens the two vertebrae; wherein the rod is more flexible in the first position than in the extended position; and a hydraulic mechanism, in fluid communication with the rod, which moves the rod from the first position to the extended position, wherein the rod and hydraulic mechanism are capable of being inserted within the body having a skeletal curvature wherein the rod includes a central portion and a segment attached to the central portion, the segment including: a plurality of cones capable of fitting one juxtaposed to the other; an elastomeric member fixedly attached to each of the plurality of cones; wherein the elastomeric member comprises an elastomeric material; wherein the plurality of cones are configured to move together to lock when the rod is under fluid pressure such that the segment moves to the extended position and the segment is rigid; and wherein the plurality of cones are configured to move apart from one another when the rod is not under fluid pressure such that the segment moves to the first position and the segment is flexible.