Patent ID: 8518083

Claim:
A method of performing interspinous distraction, the method comprising: inserting a distractor having a conical insertion portion and a central engagement groove between two spinous processes of vertebrae, the conical insertion portion adapted such that a gradual distraction between the two spinous processes occurs; inserting an insertion driver while coupled to the distractor, the insertion driver being detachably coupled to a rear portion of the distractor; implanting the distractor between the two spinous processes such that the two spinous processes rest in the central engagement groove between a proximal end and a distal end of the central engagement groove; deploying a stabilizer which is adapted to be deployed from within the distractor to secure the two spinous processes within the central engagement groove; and decoupling the insertion driver from the distractor and removing the insertion driver, wherein the inserting of the distractor includes screwing the distractor into place between the two spinous processes, wherein the insertion portion has a conical screw shape such that a surface of the insertion portion has screw-shaped grooves adapted to enable the distractor to be screwed into place between the two spinous processes during the inserting of the distractor.