EXPANDABLE INTERSPINOUS PROCESS SPACER WITH LATERAL SUPPORT AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION

摘要

An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration to maintain separation therebetween. The lateral portions each comprise a superior lateral portion and an inferior lateral portion adapted to reside on the lateral side of the respective superior and inferior spinous process in the deployed configuration to maintain positioning of the interspinous process spacer between the two adjacent vertebrae. The lateral portions each comprise an expandable lateral member that is expandable from an insertion configuration to the deployed configuration, and at least one of the lateral portions includes within it a lateral support member configured to be deformable for the insertion configuration and expanded in the deployed configuration. The method includes introducing the spacer through a tubular delivery device to the region between the spinous processes and positioning therein, followed by retraction of the delivery device and expansion of the expandable lateral members and lateral support members.