Patent ID: 8043336

Claim:
A posterior vertebral support assembly, comprising: an interspinous wedge configured to be inserted between the spinous processes of two vertebrae, wherein the wedge includes: first and second opposing ends, each shaped to receive the respective spinous processes, first and second lateral sides extending from the first end to the second end, and at least one elastically deformable zone; an elastic, stretchable strap engageable around at least two spinous processes and the wedge while the wedge ends receive the spinous processes; the strap forming a first and a second compressive lateral element disposed on opposing lateral sides of the wedge; the first and second compressive lateral elements being configured to be disposed at a first distance apart when the vertebrae are in extension and at a second distance, less than the first distance, when the vertebrae are in flexion; and first and second lateral transmission elements disposed respectively between the first compressive lateral element and the wedge and the second compressive lateral element and the wedge, the first and second lateral transmission elements being adapted to press against the lateral sides of the wedge substantially midway between the first and second ends in a transverse direction in response to forces applied by the first and second compressive lateral elements when the first and second compressive lateral elements are moved from the first distance apart to the second distance apart; the lateral transmission elements, while the wedge ends receive the spinous processes, not extending through a sagittal plane defined by the spinous processes in the space between the spinous processes.