Patent ID: 8480680

Claim:
A spinal decompression system comprising: a first portion including a first laterally extending prong; a second portion including a second laterally extending prong and a vertical throughbore; and a force transmission device connecting the first and second portions, the force transmission device including a first member attached to the first portion and extending through the bore in the second portion, and a second member engaging the first member and configured and arranged to linearly move the first member in the vertical throughbore; wherein the second portion includes a second connector that extends laterally from the second prong, the second member being positioned adjacent to the second connector and extending vertically away therefrom; and wherein the second connector includes a vertical guide bore, the first portion further comprises a vertically extending guide rod slidably positioned in the guide bore, and the vertical guide bore and the vertically extending guide rod are positioned laterally between the first and second laterally extending prongs and the force transmission member.