Patent ID: 8568453

Claim:
A method for the fixation of a first vertebral bone to at least a second vertebral bone, comprising: providing an orthopedic implant, comprising: at least four bone abutment surfaces, a first abutment surface configured to attach to a second abutment surface via a first interconnecting member, a third abutment surface configured to attach to a fourth abutment surface via a second interconnecting member, the first and third bone abutment surfaces being aligned to face one another, and the second and fourth bone abutment surfaces being aligned to face one another; the first bone abutment surface being movably joined to the first interconnecting member via a coupling, the coupling being comprised of a first surface at least partially positioned within a conical inner surface of a receiving seat, the application of a locking force onto the coupling immobilizing the first bone abutment surface relative to the first interconnecting member, the components needed to immobilize the first interconnecting member being separated from threaded engagement, and the first bone abutment surface and the first interconnecting member configured to remain immobilized after removal of the locking force; a third interconnecting member configured to movably couple the first and the second interconnecting members, a locking mechanism being disposed at an intersection of the third interconnecting member and the first interconnecting member, and the locking mechanism being configured to transition into a configuration that limits movement between the third interconnecting member and the first interconnecting member; positioning the implant onto a posterior aspect of the first vertebral bone, the first bone abutment surface being positioned on a first side of a spinous process of the first vertebral bone, the third bone abutment surface being positioned on a second side of the spinous process of the first vertebral bone, and the first and the third bone abutment surfaces being aligned to face one another; positioning the implant onto the posterior aspect of the second vertebral bone, the second bone abutment surface being positioned on a first side of a spinous process of the second vertebral bone, the fourth bone abutment surface being positioned on a second side of the spinous process of the second vertebral bone, and the second and the fourth bone abutment surfaces being aligned to face one another; applying a force onto the implant, the force urging the first bone abutment surface towards the third bone abutment surface and capturing the spinous process of the first vertebral bone there between; rigidly affixing the first and second abutment surfaces to the first interconnecting member and the third and fourth abutment surfaces to the second interconnecting member; and actuating the locking mechanism that is positioned at the intersection of the first and the third interconnecting members, the actuated locking mechanism limiting movement between the first and third interconnecting members.