Patent ID: 8273108
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway through at least a portion of the body; a first arm and a second arm both connected to the body and capable of rotation with respect to the body; each arm defining a configuration for receiving a spinous process; each arm having a proximal caming surface; an actuator assembly connected to the body; the actuator assembly comprising: the actuator assembly is configured such that the actuator is disposed inside the body and configured to move relative to the body such that the at least one bearing surface contacts the caming surfaces of the arms to thereby rotate the arms from an undeployed configuration in which the arms are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body to a deployed configuration in which the arms are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; wherein, when the body is positioned between the spinous processes such that the longitudinal axis of the body extends in a posterior-anterior direction relative to the spine, the arms receive and seat the adjacent spinous processes when the first and second arms are in the deployed configuration.