Patent ID: 8652174

Claim:
An expandable interspinous process spacer implant for treating spinal stenosis in the spine, the implant having a first end and a second end and a length therebetween, a proximal side and a distal side and a width therebetween, and an expandable height, the implant comprising: a first pair of legs, each leg having a first and second end, the first pair of legs pivotally joined with each other, wherein the first pair of legs are pivotally joined by a first connector that is pivotally connected to each of the first pair of legs; a second pair of legs, each leg having a first and second end, the second pair of legs pivotally joined with each other; a first plate having a first plate hole configured to receive a head portion of a fastener, the first plate coupled to the first pair of legs; a second plate having a second plate hole configured to receive a shaft portion of the fastener, the second plate coupled to the second pair of legs; a superior bearing surface connecting the first end of one of the first pair of legs with the first end of one of the second pair of legs; and an inferior bearing surface connecting the second end of one of the first pair of legs with the second end of one of the second pair of legs; wherein decreasing the distance between the first plate and the second plate causes an increase in vertical distance between the two bearing surfaces.