Patent ID: 8241332

Claim:
A distance-keeping inter-process implant comprising: an implant body comprising a first side extending along a length of the implant body, a second side opposite the first side, a posterior region, and an anterior region opposite the posterior region, the posterior region and the anterior region separated by the length of the implant body; a first resistance protrusion rigidly extending from the first side of the implant body in the posterior region of the implant body; a second resistance protrusion rigidly extending from the second side of the implant body in the posterior region of the implant body; a first wing extending from the first side of the implant body in the anterior region of the implant body; and a second wing extending from the second side of the implant body in the anterior region of the implant body, the second wing connected to the implant body by an articulated joint, the articulated joint permitting the second wing to rotate toward the first wing, and the second wing including an end distal to the articulated joint, the end extending from the implant body in a direction away from the posterior region, wherein the anterior region of the distance-keeping inter-process implant is adapted for insertion into an inter-process space without adversely affecting a supraspinous ligament associated with the inter-process space, wherein the first wing comprises at least one guide adapted to retain a tensioning band associated with the distance-keeping inter-process implant and the second wing comprises at least one guide adapted to retain a tensioning band associated with the distance-keeping inter-process implant, wherein the implant body further comprises at least one though-hole extending the length of the implant body, wherein a posterior end of the through-hole comprises a seat adapted to retain a knot formed in a tensioning band associated with the distance-keeping inter-process implant, the seat having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the through-hole.