Veretebra Stabilizing Assembly

Abstract

An implant assembly for implantation between upper and lower spinous processes includes an interspinous implant and a removable clip. The implant may have an interspinous portion having upper and lower surfaces for engagement with the respective upper and lower spinous process, and a thickness therebetween sufficient to restore anatomical tension to the supra-spinous posterior ligament. Upper and lower pairs of lugs extend from the interspinous portion for interfacing with the respective spinous processes. One or more of the lugs of each pair is movable between an insertion configuration and a retention configuration substantially perpendicular to the retention configuration. The removable clip engages the relevant lugs to selectively retain the same in the insertion configuration.

1 . An implant assembly for implantation between upper and lower spinous processes, the spinous processes having a supra-spinous posterior ligament extending therebetween; the implant assembly comprising:
 an interspinous implant comprising:
 an interspinous portion having an upper surface for engagement with the upper spinous process and a lower surface for engagement with the lower spinous process; the interspinous portion having a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface sufficient to restore anatomical tension to the supra-spinous posterior ligament; 
 an upper pair of lugs extending from the interspinous portion for interfacing with the upper spinous process; 
 a lower pair of lugs extending from the interspinous portion in a direction substantially opposite from the upper pair of lugs, the lower pair of lugs for interfacing with the lower spinous process; 
 wherein at least one of the upper pair of lugs and at least one of the lower pair of lugs is movable between an insertion configuration and an retention configuration; wherein the insertion configuration for the at least one of the upper and lower lugs is substantially perpendicular to the retention configuration; 
 a removable clip for engagement with the at least one of the upper pair of lugs and at least one of the lower pair of lugs to selectively retain the same in the insertion configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The implant assembly of  claim 1  wherein the interspinous implant comprises a flexible, resilient material to allow motion between the spinous processes and to allow the at least one of the upper and lower lugs to resiliently return to the retention configuration from the implantation configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The implant assembly of  claim 2  wherein the implant comprises a casing substantially surrounding the flexible, resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The implant assembly of  claim 3  wherein the casing is a woven casing. 
     
     
         5 . The implant assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the upper pair of lugs and at least one of the lower pair of lugs are resiliently biased toward their retention configuration. 
     
     
         6 . An interspinous implant for implantation between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:
 a central spacer portion having first and second generally opposite lateral sides and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;   a first flange connected to said spacer portion and disposed transverse thereto on the first lateral side thereof;   a second flange connected to said spacer portion and disposed on the second lateral side thereof; the second flange having a proximal portion nearer the spacer portion and a distal portion farther from the spacer portion;   a third flange connected to said spacer portion and disposed on the second lateral side thereof; the third flange having a proximal portion nearer the spacer portion and a distal portion farther from the spacer portion;   the second and third flanges changeable from a first configuration to a second configuration; wherein, in the first configuration:
 the distal portions are disposed relatively farther apart and; 
 the first and second flanges and the spacer section form a first saddle for receiving a spinous process; 
 the first and third flanges and the spacer section form a second saddle for receiving a spinous process; 
   wherein, in the second configuration, the distal portions are disposed relatively closer together;   a retainer selectively engageable with the distal portions to retain the second and third flanges in the second configuration.   
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the second and third flanges are biased toward their first configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the first saddle is adapted to receive one of the adjacent spinous processes when the implant is disposed between the adjacent spinous processes with the longitudinal axis of the spacer extending through a sagittal plane defined by the adjacent spinous processes. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the first flange comprises a first section and a second section; the first section corresponding to the first saddle and the second section corresponding to the second saddle. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein said first, second, and third flanges, and the spacer portion, are flexible. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the retainer comprises a clip. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the spacer portion has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the second and third flanges, in the second configuration, fit within that cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The implant assembly of  claim 6  wherein the second and third flanges are deflectable between their first and second configurations. 
     
     
         14 . The implant assembly of  claim 6  wherein said second and third flanges, in their second configurations, are spaced from each other. 
     
     
         15 . An interspinous implant comprising:
 a central spacer portion having first and second generally opposite lateral sides and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;   a first flange connected to said spacer portion and disposed transverse thereto on the first lateral side thereof;   a second flange connected to said spacer portion and disposed on the second lateral side thereof;   the second flange comprising a first section and a second section; said first and second sections movable relative to the spacer portion between second more transverse positions and first more parallel positions relative to the spacer portion's longitudinal axis;   a retainer selectively engageable with the first and second sections to retain the first and second sections in the first position;   wherein, in the second positions, the first and second sections of the second flange form first and second saddles, respectively, with the spacer section and the first flange; the saddles adapted to receive respective adjacent spinous processes when the implant is disposed between the adjacent spinous processes with the longitudinal axis of the spacer extending through a sagittal plane defined by the adjacent spinous processes;   wherein the first and second sections of the second flange have a combined height perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the first positions that is less than in the second positions.   
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 15  wherein the first position is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 15  wherein the retainer comprises a C-shaped clip.