Patent ID: 8292923

Claim:
A spacer for positioning in an inter-spinous space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process, comprising: a body composed of non-bone, radiolucent material having opposing anterior and posterior surfaces, opposing first and second lateral surfaces, and opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein said top surface includes at least one superior fusion notch for receiving at least a part of said superior spinous process when said implant is positioned in said inter-spinous space, said bottom surface including at least one inferior fusion notch for receiving at least a part of said inferior spinous process when said implant is positioned in said inter-spinous space, said lateral sides and said inferior notch defining a pair of legs separating a central body portion having a height less that said legs, said legs including tapered ends, said top surface and said bottom surface further including at least one aperture that extends into said spacer, said first and second lateral surfaces having at least one attachment aperture for releasably coupling said spacer to an insertion tool for inserting said spacer in a posterior surgical approach, said posterior surface having at least one aperture that extends into said spacer, said apertures of said spacer all linking to a main cavity within said spacer, said main cavity generally extending between said top surface and said bottom surface for allowing boney in-growth to form between said superior and said inferior spinous processes, said anterior surface being a solid surface without any apertures, and at least one image enhancing element is disposed within said spacer to facilitate proper positioning of said spacer between said superior and inferior spinal processes.