Patent ID: 8500778

Claim:
An interspinous spacer for implantation between spinous processes of the spine, the spacer comprising: a main body having a first face, a second face, a front side, a back side, a leading edge and a trailing edge, the first face for contacting a first spinous process and the second face for contacting a second spinous process, the leading edge further comprising, a first edge having a convex curvature and a second edge generally opposing the first edge and having a concave curvature, wherein the front side and back side are spaced apart and extend between the first face and second face, and wherein the front side extends directly and continuously from the trailing edge to the first edge and the back side extends directly and continuously from the trailing edge to the second edge, and wherein the first edge and second edge taper distally, and inwardly, with a continuously shrinking distance between the first edge and the second edge along the concave and convex curvatures until reaching a generally pointed or rounded distal tip, and wherein the spacer is configured for lateral insertion between the first and second spinous processes via the leading edge, wherein the body further comprises an interface for engaging engage with a tool for inserting the spacer, the interface comprising a recessed surface in at least one of the first face and the second face, the recessed surface having an opening on the front side.