Patent ID: 8357181

Claim:
A prosthetic device for insertion between two vertebrae of a vertebral column to stabilize same, the device comprising: a first spacer having a curved slot in a first end sized to receive and to extend on either side of a spinous process of one of the vertebrae; a second spacer having a curved slot in a second end sized to receive and to extend on either side of a spinous process of the other of the vertebrae; a mechanism for connecting the spacers, the mechanism having a variable length extending in a direction that defines a distance between the spacers, the mechanism being configured in a manner to permit sliding relative movement between the spacers so that the distance between the spacers can vary; wherein the connecting mechanism comprises: a first flange affixed to the first spacer and extending from the first spacer toward the second spacer; a second flange affixed to the second spacer and extending from the second spacer toward the first spacer; the second flange having a series of teeth thereon oriented toward the first flange; a control element disposed between the first and second flanges; the control element engaging at least one of the teeth and operative to control the relative positions of the first and second flanges in said direction.