Patent ID: 8672977
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A spinal implant comprising: (a) an implant body including a plurality of segments hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery along a conduit and a curved deployed state, said implant body having a channel passing from a distal one of said segments along a majority of a length of said body; and (b) an elongated tightening element anchored at said distal segment of said body and passing along said channel, said body and said tightening element being configured such that tension applied to said tightening element tends to bias said implant body from said straightened state to said curved deployed state, wherein said implant body and said tightening element are configured to provide a locking arrangement such that, when said tightening element is deflected to reach said curved deployed state, said locking arrangement is effective to lock said tightening element relative to said implant body, thereby retaining said implant in said curved deployed state, further comprising engagement features associated with said implant body and configured for engaging two adjacent spinous processes, wherein said implant body has a medial portion of a first width for deployment as a spacer between two adjacent spinous processes, and wherein said engagement features are associated with at least a proximal portion of said implant body and span a width greater than said first width so as to laterally engage the spinous processes, thereby limiting movement of said implant body relative to said spinous processes.