Patent ID: 7510567
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: A61B,A61K

Abstract:
1. A method for inserting a main body assembly into the spine of a patient that comprises the steps of: (a) providing a main body assembly insertion device having: (b) providing a main body assembly adapted to be inserted into a spine, comprising: (c) inserting said alignment pin of said main body assembly insertion device into said at least one alignment hole of the main body assembly; (d) moving said device locking mechanism along the longitudinal body axis relative to the elongated body and inserting said device locking mechanism into said second alignment hole of said spacer; (e) urging said tissue expander adjacent spinous processes so that said spacer is located between said spinous processes and said wing is adjacent to said spinous processes; (f) providing a wing implant insertion device which has at least one alignment pin and a locking mechanism; (g) providing a wing with a hole that can selectably receive said at least one alignment pin of the wing implant insertion device and a wing locking mechanism that can selectably receive said locking mechanism of said wing implant insertion device; (h) engaging said wing with said wing implant insertion device; (i) using the wing implant insertion device and the main body assembly insertion device to connect the wing to the main body assembly in the patient; and (j) removing said main body assembly insertion device.