Patent ID: 7547305

Claim:
An implantable mobile sleeve for stabilizing the anterior side of a vertebral column, comprising: a lowermost template having respective anterior and posterior surfaces, and a through-hole penetrating through the anterior and posterior surfaces, wherein the through-hole is configured to receive a fastener, said lowermost template having a width dimension that is greater than a height dimension; an uppermost template having respective anterior and posterior surfaces, and a through-hole penetrating through the anterior and posterior surfaces, wherein the through-hole is configured to receive a fastener, said uppermost template having a width dimension that is greater than a height dimension; a coupling assembly for coupling said lowermost and uppermost templates adjustably to one another, said coupling assembly extending substantially vertically and orthogonal with respect to the width dimensions of said lowermost and uppermost templates, said coupling assembly having; a bottom sleeve portion having a first end for coupling to said lowermost template and a second end extending upward toward said uppermost template, and a top sleeve portion having a first end with at least one post aperture for coupling to said uppermost template, and a second end that extends toward said lowermost template and configured to terminate at an opening that forms a hollow longitudinal channel that extends between the first and second ends of the top sleeve portion, the second end of the top sleeve portion being configured to engage slidably with the second end of the bottom sleeve portion, said top sleeve portion being configured to have a channel for accommodating a slidable engagement with the second end of said bottom sleeve portion; a locking plate for securing a selectable one of the top and bottom sleeve portions to its corresponding template; a tongue extending orthogonally from the second end of said bottom sleeve portion; and an elongated aperture disposed in the second portion of said top sleeve portion, said elongated aperture accommodating therein said tongue, whereby a displacement limit is imposed on the slidable engagement between the top sleeve portion and the second end of said bottom sleeve portion.