Patent ID: 8882810

Claim:
A method of using an interspinous spacer having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting the interspinous spacer in its collapsed condition into an interspinous space of a patient that has been selected for spinal fusion, b) expanding the interspinous spacer, and c) fusing at least a portion of the spine of the patient, wherein the interspinous spacer comprises: a) a first body, the first body comprising i) a first hook-shaped portion adapted for contacting a superior spinous process, and ii) a first track portion having a first groove therein, b) a second body, the second body comprising i) a second hook-shaped portion adapted for contacting an inferior spinous process, ii) a track portion having a groove therein, c) a housing having i) a slot therethrough slidably receiving the track portions, ii) a threaded throughole extending in a direction transverse to the slot, d) a set screw adapted for compressing the track portions of the first and second bodies, the set screw having i) a peripheral thread threadably received in the throughhole of the housing, wherein the first and second bodies are slidingly received in the housing, and wherein the first body slidingly engages the second body.