Dynamic Fixation Device and Method of Use

A vetebral implant assembly for posterior attachment to a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spine of a patient to allow controlled bending of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, comprising:

• a first pedicle screw adapted for posterior attachment to the first vertebra, and a second pedicle screw adapted for posterior attachment to the second vertebra;
• a first connector connected to the first pedicle screw and a second connector connected to the second pedicle screw;
• and
• a dynamic fixation member, comprising:
• a first rod arm connected to the first pedicle screw by the first connector, and a second rod arm connected to the second pedicle screw by the second connector;
• and
• a deformable portion connected to the first and second rod arms, the deformable portion including an upper member with a first void space and a lower member with a second void space, wherein the upper member and the lower member further comprise a variable thickness;
• wherein, when implanted posteriorly in the patient, the vetebral implant assembly allows controlled bending motion while limiting sagittal translation of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, and wherein the controlled bending motion occurs about a virtual physiologic axis of rotation that is anterior of the deformable portion.

A vetebral implant assembly for posterior attachment to a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spine of a patient to allow controlled bending of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, comprising:

• a first pedicle screw adapted for posterior attachment to the first vertebra, and a second pedicle screw adapted for posterior attachment to the second vertebra;
• a first rod arm connected to the first pedicle screw by a first connector, and a second rod arm connected to the second pedicle screw by a second connector;
• and
• a deformable portion connected to the first and second rod arms, the deformable portion including an upper member and a lower member with a connecting member that interconnects the upper member to the lower member, wherein the upper member and the lower member further comprise a variable thickness;
• wherein, when implanted posteriorly in the patient, the vetebral implant assembly allows controlled bending motion while limiting sagittal translation of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, and wherein the controlled bending motion occurs about a virtual physiologic axis of rotation that is anterior of the deformable portion.

A deformable member for implantation in a patient by posterior attachment to a first vertebra of a spine of the patient using a first pedicle screw and a first connector, and to a second vertebra using a second pedicle screw and a second connector, to allow controlled bending of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, comprising:

• a first rod arm connected to the first pedicle screw by the first connector, and a second rod arm connected to the second pedicle screw by the second connector;
• and
• a deformable portion connected to the first and second rod arms, the deformable portion including an upper member with a first void space and a lower member with a second void space, wherein the upper member and the lower member further comprise a variable thickness;
• wherein, when implanted posteriorly in the patient, the deformable member allows controlled bending motion while limiting sagittal translation of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, and wherein the controlled bending motion occurs about a virtual physiologic axis of rotation that is anterior of the deformable portion.