Patent ID: 8657855

Claim:
A spinal implant for connecting adjacent spinous processes, comprising: first and second mounting plates disposed in spaced relation to each other; the first mounting plate having a first rod-receiving recess therein opening toward the second mounting plate at a first opening and opening opposite the second mounting plate at a secondary opening that is smaller than the first opening; the first mounting plate having a plurality of teeth on a first medial face configured to bite into a spinous process; the second mounting plate having a second rod-receiving recess therein opening toward the first mounting plate at a second opening; the second mounting plate having a plurality of teeth on a second medial face configured to bite into a spinous process; a first rod distinct from and interconnecting the first and second mounting plates and disposed in the first and second recesses, the first rod having a uniform diameter that is greater than a maximum width of the secondary opening such that the first rod is prevented from passing through the secondary opening; third and fourth mounting plates disposed in spaced relation to each other; the third mounting plate having a third rod-receiving recess therein opening toward the fourth mounting plate at a third opening; the third mounting plate having a plurality of teeth on a third medial face configured to bite into a spinous process; the fourth mounting plate having a fourth rod-receiving recess therein opening toward the third mounting plate at a fourth opening; the fourth mounting plate having a plurality of teeth on a fourth medial face configured to bite into a corresponding spinous process; a second rod distinct from and interconnecting the third and fourth mounting plates and disposed in the third and fourth recesses; the first and second rods having respective first and second longitudinal axes spaced from each other; the first and second rods having respective first and second lateral surfaces facing directly away from the other rod; the first and third medial faces facing generally toward each other; the second and fourth medial faces facing generally toward each other; a link interconnecting the first and second rods; the link disposed between the first and second mounting plates and between the third and fourth mounting plates; the link disposed partially laterally outboard of both the first and second rods; the link engaging at least one of the first and second lateral faces; the link operative to hinder movement of the first and second rods away from each other; wherein the first and second rods have a flexural modulus that is less than a flexural modulus of the mounting plates, and wherein at least one of the plates comprises an aperture extending through a respective medial face such that the aperture is in communication with a respective recess.