INTERSPINOUS IMPLANTS WITH ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT SPACER

摘要

The present invention provides spinous process implants and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes at least one extension with a superior lobe pivotally connected to an inferior lobe, such as by a hinge, to allow unfolding of the at least one extension from a folded position to an unfolded position. In certain aspects, the folding extension may include fasteners to facilitate engagement with the spinous processes to provide both a flexion stop as well as an extension stop. The fasteners may have corresponding bores to allow the fasteners to reside in the bores to provide a compact profile for implantation. In another aspect of the invention, the implant is introduced to the surgical site using a lateral or paramedian approach and associated tools to facilitate the same.

主权项

1. An implant adapted to traverse an interspinous space and promote fusion of the adjacent spinous processes comprising:
a spacer body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the spacer body comprising at least a superior wall and an inferior wall, the inferior wall separated from the superior wall by an internal space, the superior wall comprising a superior proximal edge and at least one superior protrusion extending from the proximal end of the superior wall, the inferior wall comprising an inferior proximal edge and at least one inferior protrusion extending from the proximal end of the superior wall, the spacer body comprising a block movable in the internal space from relatively more proximate the distal end to relatively more proximate the proximal end causing the superior wall to move relative to the inferior wall such that the spacer body changes from a first configuration where the superior wall and the inferior wall are separated by a first distance to a second configuration where the superior wall and the inferior wall are separated by a second distance greater than the first distance; a first extension comprising a medial facing surface adapted to reside adjacent a spinous process and a lateral facing surface, the medial facing surface cooperatively engaging the at least one superior and the at least one inferior protrusion of the spacer body such that at least one of the superior proximal edge or the inferior proximal edge move along the medial facing surface, the medial facing surface comprising a plurality of fasteners extending medially and adapted to engage the adjacent spinous process; and a draw movable laterally and cooperatively engaged to the block to move the block between the distal end and the proximal end of the spacer body, wherein movement of the draw in a first direction causes the spacer body to distract from the first configuration to the second configuration and movement of the draw in a second direction causes the spacer body to compress from the second configuration to the first configuration.