Patent ID: 8613747

Claim:
An instrument for inserting and deploying an interspinous spacer having a body with at least one prong receiving portion and a wing rotatably connected to the body portion, wherein the wing is configured to cradle an adjacent spinous process, the instrument comprising: a handle, a first assembly connected to the handle, the first assembly comprising an outer shaft, an inner shaft located inside the outer shaft, at least one prong at a distal portion of one of the outer or inner shafts, and a control configured to move one of the outer or inner shafts with respect to the other and thereby deflect the prong into engagement with the prong receiving portion of the body of the interspinous spacer, wherein the body of the interspinous spacer is prevented from rotating with respect to the prong when the prong engages the prong receiving portion; and a driver having a distal portion configured to arrange the interspinous spacer, and wherein the driver is axially displaceable relative to the first assembly independent of (a) rotation of the driver about an axis of rotation defined by the first assembly such that the driver moves relative to the prong to deploy the interspinous spacer and (b) operation of the control.