NON-PEDICLE BASED INTERSPINOUS SPACER

Abstract

Spinal distraction apparatus includes at least one plate member having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes having outer lateral surfaces. A pair of scissoring elements are hingedly affixed to the plate member to engage with the lateral surfaces of the spinous processes. A device is provided for locking the scissoring elements in position once a desired degree of contact is made. In a preferred configuration, the scissoring elements are sandwiched between a pair of opposing plate members, each having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes, and the inner surfaces of the scissoring elements are concave. The device for locking the scissoring elements in position is a fastener that extends through a central portion of both scissoring elements and the plate members. The apparatus may further include a retractor with upper and lower plates for spreading the upper and lower spinous processes apart to receive the plate with scissoring element(s), and wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member have notches to accommodate the upper and lower plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a lateral view of distraction apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a posterior view of the distraction apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a drawing of a spinous process stabilization system according to the invention;

FIG. 2B is an end view of the system of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a drawing which shows a posterior view of spinous processes being distracted, and with the stabilization apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B being inserted;

FIG. 4 shows the stabilization apparatus inserted, with the distraction mechanism still in place;

FIG. 5 is a drawing which shows the distraction apparatus being removed; and

FIG. 6 is a posterior view showing the way in which scissoring elements are locked into place along upper and lower spinous processes to achieve stabilization according to the invention.

Claims

1. Spinal distraction apparatus, comprising: a plate member having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes having outer lateral surfaces;a pair of scissoring elements hingedly affixed to the plate member, each scissoring element having an end that extends beyond the upper surface of the plate member and an end that extends beyond the lower surface of the plate member, resulting in a pair of upwardly oriented scissoring elements with inner surfaces adapted for contact with the outer lateral surfaces of the upper spinous process and a pair of downwardly oriented scissoring elements with inner surfaces adapted for contact with the outer lateral surfaces of the lower spinous process; anda device for locking the scissoring elements in position once a desired degree of contact is made with the lateral surfaces.

2. The spinal distraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the scissoring elements are concave.

3. The spinal distraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device for locking the scissoring elements in position is a fastener that extends through a central portion of both scissoring elements.

4. The spinal distraction apparatus of claim 1, further including: a pair of plate members, each having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes having outer lateral surfaces; andwherein the scissoring elements are sandwiched between the two plate members.

5. The spinal distraction apparatus of claim 1, further including: a retractor for spreading the upper and lower spinous processes apart to receive the plate with scissoring elements.

6. The spinal distraction apparatus of claim 1, further including: a retractor with upper and lower plates for spreading the upper and lower spinous processes apart to receive the plate with scissoring elements; andwherein the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member have notches to accommodates the upper and lower plates.