Abstract: A cross-flexural pivot includes a first structure with a first longitudinal axis; a second structure with a second longitudinal axis; an inner flexure member, and an outer flexure member. The inner flexure member includes a face disposed obliquely to the first and second longitudinal axes and is coupled to the first structure at a first side and the second structure at a second side opposing the first side. The outer flexure member includes a tubular face surrounding the inner flexure member, the tubular face being disposed obliquely to the first and second longitudinal axes. The outer flexure member is coupled to the first structure at the second side and to the second structure at the first side.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to the degenerate spinal segment. Each of the spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which the contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect the spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism being configured to attach the spinal implant to the degenerate spinal segment. The first and second spinal implants are implanted so that the first torque and the second torque act to reduce the abnormal curvature.

Abstract: A cross-flexural pivot includes a first structure with a first longitudinal axis; a second structure with a second longitudinal axis; an inner flexure member, and an outer flexure member. The inner flexure member includes a face disposed obliquely to the first and second longitudinal axes and is coupled to the first structure at a first side and the second structure at a second side opposing the first side. The outer flexure member includes a tubular face surrounding the inner flexure member, the tubular face being disposed obliquely to the first and second longitudinal axes. The outer flexure member is coupled to the first structure at the second side and to the second structure at the first side.

Abstract: A method of surgically implanting a spinal implant comprises obtaining at least one spinal implant configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment. Said spinal implant includes: a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect, said contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to said degenerate spinal segment; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. A minimally invasive surgical technique is used to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect. At least one of said contiguous segments is prestressed to form a selected radius of curvature prior to implantation. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said contiguous segments being prestressed to apply torque that is a function of a negative slope of a moment difference between a degenerative torque-rotation signature and a healthy torque-rotation signature. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to said degenerate spinal segment. Each of said spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. Said first spinal implant and said second spinal implant are implanted to said degenerate spinal segment so that said first torque and said second torque act to reduce said abnormal curvature.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.