Patent ID: 8241330

Claim:
An implant for placement between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae of a spine, the implant comprising: a spacer with a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, the spacer having a sidewall generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and having superior and inferior surfaces operable to abut the spinous processes and maintain the spinous processes in a spaced apart relationship, the superior and inferior surfaces being spaced apart a distance corresponding to a predetermined minimum spacing between the spinous processes, the spacer comprising a plurality of channels; a first extension integral with and, projecting from the first end of the spacer transverse to the longitudinal axis to lie generally alongside the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae; and a second extension opposing the first extension, the second extension defines an aperture that opens in an anterior direction and comprises a plurality of opposing tab members adapted to directly engage the plurality of channels of the spacer and be translated over an outer surface of the spacer from the spacer second end toward the first extension; wherein at least one of the first and second extensions further comprise at least one fastener adapted to engage the spinous processes to fix the spacer to the spinous processes and limit a maximum spacing between the spinous processes, such that the predetermined minimum spacing between the spinous processes is substantially equal to the maximum spacing between the spinous processes.