Patent ID: 8109972
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: an interspinous-process spacer having a first expandable wing, a second expandable wing, a body disposed between the first and second expandable wings, and an inner elongate member; the spacer further comprising a longitudinal axis; a proximal direction defined along the axis from the first wing toward the second wing; the first and second expandable wings movable from collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; the first and second expandable wings extending relatively further from the axis in their expanded configurations than in their collapsed configurations; the inner elongate member having a complimentary fit within a lumen defined by the expandable wing when the expandable wing is in a collapsed configuration; the elongate member being non-hollow and having a portion thereof that is disposed proximally relative to the body and overlapped by the second wing when the first and second wings are in their collapsed configurations; wherein the elongate member is longitudinally displaceable proximally relative to the body to cause both: