Patent ID: 8236031
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spinal spacer for placement between a first spinous process of a first vertebra and a second spinous process of a second vertebra, the spinal spacer comprising: a body having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a posterior side, an anterior side, a superior end and an inferior end; a first spinous process engagement structure disposed on the superior end of the body and configured for attachment to the first spinous process of the first vertebra; and a second spinous process engagement structure disposed on the inferior end of the body and configured for attachment to the second spinous process of the second vertebra that is adjacent and inferior to the first vertebra; a flex portion disposed between the first spinous process engagement structure and the second spinous process engagement structure, the flex portion having flexure properties to provide angulation, flexion, and/or extension of the first spinous process engagement structure relative to the second spinous process engagement structure; wherein the flex portion includes a first set of diagonal parallel slits and a second set of diagonal parallel slits, the first set of diagonal parallel splits extend from the first lateral side toward the second lateral side and between the posterior and anterior sides of the body, and the second set of diagonal parallel slits extend from the second lateral side toward the first lateral side and between the posterior and anterior sides of the body.