Importance

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Abstract

An elongated member forming a spinal support rod is implantable adjacent the spine of a patient, and includes an axial span or spans for spanning respective spinal levels to promote efficacious spinal support/stabilization. As with conventional spinal support rods used in connection with lumbar fusion and other related procedures, the elongated member extends in an axial direction, and is substantially dimensionally stable, both radially and axially. The elongated member is further capable of bending, flexing, and/or deflecting laterally (e.g., along any and/or substantially all transverse directions) to an extent that preserves at least some spinal motion. Such elongated members can include axial spans that manifest a radially segmented geometry relative to the axial direction, include a sleeve and a series of structural members or a coil spring enclosed within the sleeve, and/or include a coil spring and a restraining element passing at least partially through the coil spring.

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First Claim