Patent ID: 8870920
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for implantation of an orthopedic implant into an interspinous space between spinous processes of a first and a second immediately adjacent vertebral bones, comprising: providing an implant insertion tube having an elongated body and extending along a first axis from a proximal aperture to a distal aperture, wherein the elongated body has an internal bore that connects the proximal and distal apertures and wherein the internal bore is sized and shaped to permit passage of the orthopedic implant from the proximal aperture to the distal aperture; positioning an implant insertion tube at a midline of the vertebral bones and posterior to the interspinous space that is between the spinous processes of the first and second vertebral bones, wherein the first axis of the implant insertion tube is aligned parallel with the plane of the vertebral midline; advancing the orthopedic implant through the internal bore of the implant insertion tube and into the interspinous space; and removing the implant insertion tube while retaining the orthopedic implant in the interspinous space.