Abstract: A surgical instrument for moving tissue, such as bone segments, and more specifically vertebrae of a spinal column, is provided. In particular, a spine compression and/or distraction instrument that can be used to reposition vertebrae is provided. Further, methods for using the surgical instrument to compress and/or distract vertebrae of a spinal column are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible intervertebral linking device (1) is provided. The device (1) utilizes two sets of structures. A first structure (11) is a rigid structure (110, 112, 114, 116) preferably made of biocompatible metallic materials providing the device with good mechanical resistance by integral load transmission without deformation. A second structure (12) is a flexible or damping structure (121 and 122) made of biocompatible viscoelastic materials, permitting repeated elastic deformations. The combination of the two structures providing the device with both resistance and mechanical dampening of forces to which it is subjected, with the purpose of compensating for any deficiency in the flexibility of certain anatomical links of the human body.