Mobile sleeve structure for maintaining spatial relationship between vertebrae

An implantable mobile sleeve for stabilizing the anterior side of a vertebral column, comprising:

• a lowermost template having a generally rectangular configuration having an elongated width dimension perpendicular to the axis of a vertebral column, said lowermost template having an anterior surface, a posterior surface for communicating exclusively with a lateral anterior surface of a vertebra, and an outer edge extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface, there being further provided at least two pre-drilled through-holes penetrating through the lowermost template between the anterior surface to the posterior surface;
• an uppermost template having a generally rectangular configuration having an elongated width dimension perpendicular to the axis of a vertebral column, the uppermost template having an anterior surface, a posterior surface that will rest against a second vertebra and, an outer edge extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface, there being further provided two or more pre-drilled through-holes penetrating through the uppermost template between the anterior surface to the posterior surface;
• at least two posts attached to the anterior surface of the uppermost template and the lowermost template, and arranged to extend orthogonally outward from the anterior surface;
• a plurality of fasteners disposed through the at least two pre-drilled holes of the uppermost template and the lowermost template, corresponding ones of said plurality of fasteners attaching the lowermost template to the first vertebra and the uppermost template to the second vertebra, wherein the lengthwise side of the lowermost template and the lengthwise side of the uppermost template are parallel when the lowermost template is attached to the first vertebra and the uppermost template is attached to the second vertebra, and
• a generally rectangular shaped adjustable sleeve having a longitudinal dimension thereof extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vertebral column, the adjustable sleeve having a bottom sleeve portion having a first end with at least two pre-drilled post holes for coupling the bottom sleeve portion to the posts located on the lowermost template and a second end that extends upward toward a top sleeve portion of the adjustable sleeve having a first end with two or more pre-drilled post holes that couple the top sleeve portion to the posts located on the uppermost template, wherein the top sleeve portion extends downward toward the lowermost template and terminates at a second end that forms an opening to a hollow longitudinal channel that extends between the first end and second end of the top sleeve portion, the second end and the hollow sleeve being configured to receive slidably the second end of the bottom sleeve portion;
• a sliding displacement limiter arrangement located on the anterior surface of the top sleeve portion of the adjustable sleeve and having a tongue portion attached to the anterior surface of the bottom sleeve portion that is positioned in the hollow channel of the top sleeve portion, wherein the tongue extends through and slidably connects to an elongated aperture disposed through the anterior surface of the top sleeve portion, and
• first and second locking plates each associated with one of said uppermost and lowermost templates, said first and second locking plates each having at least two pre-drilled post holes for engaging with the posts of the lowermost template and the uppermost template and thereby securing the adjustable sleeve to the uppermost template and the lowermost template.