Patent ID: 8216278
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An expandable interspinous spacer implant for insertion into an interspinous space between a spinous process of a superior vertebral body and a spinous process of an inferior vertebral body, the implant having a first end and a second end with a length therebetween, a proximal side and a distal side with a width therebetween, and an expandable height, the implant comprising: a first pair of legs on the proximal side joined in a scissor-like fashion and a second pair of legs on the distal side joined in a scissor-like fashion, the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs pivotally coupled by one or more roller pins that span the width of the implant, each leg having a first end and second end and multiple slots along its longitudinal axis, the first end of each of the first pair of legs coupled to the corresponding first end of each of the second pair of legs by superior cross pins and the second end of each of the first pair of legs coupled to the corresponding second end of each the second pair of leg by inferior cross pins; a first plate coupled to a first pair of roller pins and a second plate coupled to a second pair of roller pins; the first plate and second plate each including a hole for receiving a fastener and each roller pin disposed between a pair of said slots; a fastener coupled between the first and second plates via the first plate hole and second plate hole; and a superior bearing surface coupled between the superior cross pins and an inferior bearing surface coupled between the inferior cross pins; wherein, rotation of the fastener results in the first plate and the second plate being drawn toward each other causing the expansion of the height of the implant.