Spinal implant system and method

Abstract

An interspinous implant comprises a first member and a second member. The members define a pathway. A third member is movable along the pathway relative to the first member and the second member. Systems and methods are disclosed.

1 . An interspinous implant comprising:
 a first member extending between opposite first and second ends;   a second member extending between opposite first and second ends, the members defining a pathway that extends from the first ends to the second ends; and   a third member extending between opposite first and second ends, the third member being movable along the pathway relative to the first member and the second member, the pathway extending from the first ends of the first and second members to the second ends of the first and second members,   wherein the first ends define a first cavity configured for disposal of a first spinous process and the second ends define a second cavity configured for disposal of a second spinous process.   
     
     
         2 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the members comprise a plate including a vertebral engaging surface that defines a tissue mating curvature. 
     
     
         3 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the curvature includes an undulating profile. 
     
     
         4 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the members comprise a plate including an anterior surface and a posterior surface, the anterior surface defining a tissue mating curvature engageable with tissue of a facet joint. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes an inner surface that defines an opening, and further comprising a trans-facet joint fastener configured for disposal with the opening. 
     
     
         7 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the members are relatively movable and selectively adjustable to engage vertebrae. 
     
     
         8 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first member and the second member are separate and connected via the third member. 
     
     
         9 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third member is movable along the pathway in a cranial-caudal orientation. 
     
     
         10 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pathway includes a slot of the first member and a slot of the second member, the third member including a first key movable in the slot of the first member and a second key movable in the slot of the second member. 
     
     
         11 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes an inner surface that defines an opening oriented along a trans-facet fastener pathway. 
     
     
         12 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pathway includes an arcuate slot of the first member and an arcuate slot of the second member, the third member including enlarged edge portions locked with and movable in the slots. 
     
     
         13 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes an inner surface that defines an opening oriented along a direct posterior-anterior fastener pathway. 
     
     
         14 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes an inner surface that defines an opening oriented along a facet-pedicle fastener pathway. 
     
     
         15 . An interspinous implant comprising:
 a first member extending between opposite first and second ends, the first member defining an opening and including an inner surface defining a slot that extends from the first end to the second end;   a second member extending between opposite first and second ends, the second member defining an opening and including an inner surface defining a slot that extends from the first end of the second member to the second end of the second member, the slots defining an arcuate track and the members including a vertebral engaging surface that defines a tissue mating curvature; and   an intermediate member extending between opposite first and second ends, the intermediate member being movable along the track relative to the first member and the second member,   wherein the first ends define a first cavity configured for disposal of a first spinous process and the second ends define a second cavity configured for disposal of a second spinous process.   
     
     
         16 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the members are relatively movable and selectively adjustable to engage vertebrae and/or orient the openings. 
     
     
         17 . A plate comprising:
 a first member extending between opposite first and second ends, the first member including a slot that extends from the first end to the second end;   a second member extending between opposite first and second ends, the second member including a slot that extends from the first end of the second member to the second end of the second member; and   an intermediate member extending between opposite first and second ends, the intermediate member comprising side surfaces that are each movably disposed within one of the slots,   the first ends defining a first cavity configured for disposal of a first spinous process and the second ends defining a second cavity configured for disposal of a second spinous process, the plate including a vertebral engaging surface that defines a tissue mating curvature.   
     
     
         18 . A plate as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the curvature includes an undulating profile. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A plate as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plate defines a longitudinal axis and at least one fastener opening being oriented in an angular range of 0 through 40 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the third member comprises an arcuate portion that defines a portion of the second cavity. 
     
     
         22 . An interspinous implant as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the members include a posterior surface opposite the vertebral engaging surface, the intermediate member having a protrusion that extends outwardly from the posterior surface.