Patent ID: 9402732
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: A61B,A61F

Claim Text:
1. An expandable spacer implant configured to be inserted into a space that is defined between a spinous process of a superior vertebral body and a spinous process of an inferior vertebral body, the implant having a length in a first, insertion direction, a width in a second direction, and a height in a third direction, wherein the first, insertion direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each perpendicular to each other, the implant comprising: a superior housing having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, an outer surface that extends from the first lateral side to the second lateral side, and an inner, inferior surface that is opposite to the outer surface and defines a first void and a first recess, the outer surface of the superior housing comprising a superior notch being configured to engage the spinous process of the superior vertebral body and extending transversely across the outer surface of the superior housing in the second direction from the first lateral side to the second lateral side of the superior housing, the superior notch having a superior notch vertical plane extending along the second and third directions; an inferior housing having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, an outer surface that extends from the first lateral side of the inferior housing to the second lateral side of the inferior housing, and an inner, superior surface that faces the inner surface of the superior housing and defines a second void and a second recess, the outer surface of the inferior housing comprising an inferior notch being configured to engage the spinous process of the inferior vertebral body and extending transversely across the outer surface of the inferior housing in the second direction from the first lateral side to the second lateral side of the inferior housing, the inferior notch having an inferior notch vertical plane extending along the second and third directions; a distracting member coupled between the superior and inferior housings, wherein movement of the distracting member from a first position to a second position distracts the superior and inferior housings apart from each other, the distracting member defining opposed protrusions that engage the first and second recesses when the superior and inferior housings are fully distracted apart; and a first wing member having a first extension, the first wing member configured to rotate from a first position where the first extension is in a refracted position within the superior housing to a second position where the first extension extends out of the superior housing to a position adjacent the superior notch; and a second wing member having a second extension, the second wing member configured to rotate from a first position where the second extension is in a retracted position within the superior housing to a second position where the second extension extends out of the superior housing to a position adjacent the superior notch; wherein the first extension and the second extension are configured, such that in their respective second positions the first extension and the second extension are on opposite sides of the superior notch vertical plane and are configured to engage the spinous process of the superior vertebral body.