Interspinous implant with overlapping arms

摘要

Spinal implants and methods of inserting the implants into an interspinous space and into engagement with spinous processes. The implants may include first and second arms that are separately inserted into the patient. The arms may be attached together within the patient in an overlapping arrangement and pivotally connected at a joint. The arms may be moved about the joint with first ends of each of the arms on a first side of the joint contacting against opposing lateral sides of a first spinous process and second ends of each of the arms on a second side of the joint contacting against opposing lateral sides of a second spinous process. A securing member may contact against the arms and secure the orientation of the arms.

主权项

1. A spinal implant comprising:
a first arm having opposing first and second ends; a second arm having first and second ends, the second arm positioned across the first arm; and a ball joint positioned along intermediate sections of the arms and formed by first and second extensions on opposing sides of one of the first and second arms positioned respectively in first and second sockets defined by first and second inner surfaces of the other arm, the first and second inner surfaces being spaced apart from one another, one of the first and second arms including a gap formed between opposing fingers that extends inward from a first end of the arm to at least the ball joint with the other arm positioned within the gap; the first and second arms pivotal about the ball joint between first and second orientations with the first ends of each of the arms and the second ends of each of the arms positioned a greater distance apart in the first orientation than in the second orientation.