Patent ID: 8439953
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for stabilizing a portion of a spine, comprising the steps of: making an incision along a portion of a spine; retracting tissue to expose vertebrae; positioning a surface of a first structural member facing a first side of a first spinous process of a first vertebra and a second spinous process of a second vertebra, the first structural member including a first spike extending from the surface of the first structural member for engagement with the first spinous process and a second spike extending from the surface of the first structural member for engagement with the second spinous process; positioning a surface of a second structural member facing a second side of the first spinous process of the first vertebra and the second spinous process of the second vertebra, the first structural member including a third spike extending from the surface of the second structural member for engagement with the first spinous process and a second spike extending from the surface of the second structural member for engagement with the second spinous process; positioning a connector which extends between the first structural member and the second structural member between the first spinous process and the second spinous process such that the connector is positioned below the first spinous process and above the second spinous process; and drawing the first structural member toward the second structural member such that the spikes of the first and second structural members at least partially penetrate into the first and second spinous processes of the first and second vertebrae.