Patent ID: 8591583
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A spinal implant, comprising: a generally elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of alternating projections and slots spaced along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis wherein each projection includes a proximal wall and a distal wall and slots are defined between the proximal wall of one projection and the distal wall of an adjacent projection and extends through upper and lower surfaces of the elongated member, the slots facilitating curving of the elongated member relative to the longitudinal axis; the elongated member having a first generally linear configuration for insertion between spinal tissue layers and a second configuration in-situ wherein the generally elongated member curves relative to the longitudinal axis to form a generally helical distraction structure for distracting spinal tissue, the helical distraction structure having a plurality of windings extending about a generally central axis, and when in the second configuration, proximal walls of a plurality of projections are spaced apart from distal walls of respective adjacent projections; and the helical distraction structure having an extent along the central axis, which extent increases as the elongated member is linearly inserted between spinal tissue layers and curves to define the second configuration.