Spinous Process Spacer Hammock

Abstract

An interspinous spacer comprising: a) a first brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole, b) a second brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole, c) a ligament having a first end and a second end, wherein the ligament extends from the upper throughhole of the first brace through the upper throughhole of the second brace.

1 . An interspinous spacer comprising:
 a) a first brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole,   b) a second brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole,   c) a ligament having a first end and a second end,   
     wherein the ligament extends from the upper throughhole of the first brace through the upper throughhole of the second brace. 
   
   
       2 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the ligament extends from the upper throughhole of the second brace through the lower throughhole of the second brace. 
   
   
       3 . The spacer of  claim 2  wherein the ligament extends from the lower throughhole of the second brace through the lower throughhole of the first brace. 
   
   
       4 . The spacer of  claim 3  wherein the first end of the ligament is in mechanical connection with the second end of the ligament between the upper throughhole and a lower throughhole of the first brace. 
   
   
       5 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the ligament has a cross-section having a height and a width, wherein the width is greater than the height. 
   
   
       6 . The spacer of  claim 1  further comprising:
 d) a ligament tensioning element.   
   
   
       7 . The spacer of  claim 6  wherein the ligament tensioning element comprises a wheel around which the ligament is wound as the wheel is turned, thereby creating tension in the ligament. 
   
   
       8 . The spacer of  claim 7  wherein the wheel comprises a locking element. 
   
   
       9 . The spacer of  claim 6  further comprising e) a sleeve placed over a portion of the ligament. 
   
   
       10 . The spacer of  claim 6  wherein the ligament tensioning element comprises a crimpable sleeve. 
   
   
       11 . A method of implanting an interspinous implant, comprising the steps of:
 a) implanting a first brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole on a first side of a spinous process,   b) implanting a second brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole on a second side of the spinous process,   c) passing a ligament from the upper throughhole of the first brace through the upper throughhole of the second brace.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 d) passing the ligament from the upper throughhole of the second brace through the lower throughhole of the second brace.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 e) passing the ligament from the lower throughhole of the second brace through the lower throughhole of the first brace.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 f) mechanically connecting a first end of the ligament with a second end of the ligament between the upper throughhole and a lower throughhole of the first brace.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first brace is implanted through a first incision on the first side of the spinous process, and the second first brace is implanted through the first incision. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first brace is implanted through a first incision on the first side of the spinous process, and the second first brace is implanted through a second incision on the second side of the spinous process. 
   
   
       17 . An interspinous spacer comprising:
 a) a first brace having an upper end portion and a lower end portion,   b) a second brace having an upper end portion and a lower end portion,   c) an upper ligament having a first end and a second end,   d) a lower ligament having a first end and a second end,   
     wherein the upper ligament connects the upper end portion of the first brace to the upper end portion of the second brace, and 
     wherein the lower ligament connects the lower end portion of the first brace to the lower end portion of the second brace. 
   
   
       18 . The spacer of  claim 17  wherein each of the first and second braces further comprises an intermediate portion, and wherein the spacer further comprises a distance adjustment element attached to each of the intermediate portions. 
   
   
       19 . The spacer of  claim 18  wherein the distance adjustment element comprises a threaded rod. 
   
   
       20 . The spacer of  claim 19  wherein the intermediate portion of each brace has a threaded hole adapted for threaded mating with the threaded rod. 
   
   
       21 . The spacer of  claim 20  wherein a first threaded hole is threaded in a first direction and a second threaded hole is threaded in a second opposite direction. 
   
   
       22 . The spacer of  claim 17  further comprising e) a sleeve placed over a portion of the upper ligament.