Skeletal flexible/rigid rod for treating skeletal curvature

A flexible rod capable of being attached to vertebrae of the spine comprising:

• a first end capable of being attached to one vertebra and a second end, separated from the first end and capable of attaching to a separate second vertebra,
• which rod, under fluid pressure, moves from a first position to an extended position, which extended position straightens the vertebrae;
• and
• a segment which defines a chamber located between the ends and within which chamber is located a plurality of cones;
• an elastomeric member fixedly attached to each of the plurality of cones;
• wherein the elastomeric member comprises an elastomeric material;
• under fluid pressure the plurality of cones move together to engage each other to make the rod less flexible in the extended position;
• and
• wherein the plurality of cones move apart from one another when the rod is not under fluid pressure such that the segment, including the plurality of cones and the elastomeric member, is flexible in the first position.

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;
• 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, further comprising a garment, capable of being worn external to the body in which the rod and hydraulic mechanism are inserted,
• wherein the garment comprises an activating mechanism to cause the hydraulic mechanism to move the rod from the first position to the extended position,
• wherein the rod further comprises a fixed central element and a segment, attached thereto, capable of being extended from an initial position to an extended position, when the rod is under fluid pressure, which segment capable of being extended includes an elastomeric member comprised of an elastomeric material and the segment further comprises a chamber in which there is a plurality of metallic cones capable of fitting one juxtaposed to the other thereby extending the rod,
• wherein each of the plurality of metallic cones are fixedly attached to the elastomeric member;
• wherein the rod is more flexible in the first position than in the extended position.