Inter-spinous process device and method

1. An implantable device for fixation of spinous processes comprising:

first and second spaced plates, the first plate having a surface facing a surface of the second plate;

a post having a post length and a post diameter, the post being connected to each of the plates and extending substantially therefrom the facing surface of the first plate to at least the facing surface of the second plate, the connection of the post to the first plate being pivotable to enable changing the attitude of the first plate relative to the second plate, and the connection of the post to the second plate being adjustable to enable changing the spacing between the first plate and the second plate; and

a cage configured for insertion between two adjacent spinous processes, the cage comprising:

a leading end defining a substantially tapered nose;

a trailing end defining a tool bore configured to engage a distal portion of an insertion tool;

a top portion and a bottom portion each of which are substantially concave when viewed from the leading end or trailing end to substantially conform to the shape of the adjacent spinous processes; and

two opposed side portions defining a post bore therethrough;

wherein the cage is positionable between and spaced therefrom each of the first and second spaced plates and at least a portion of the post is configured to pass therethrough the post bore, wherein the post bore has a bore diameter that is larger than the post diameter and is sized to permit the post to move axially and radially within the post bore, thus permitting, the cage to mate with the two adjacent spinous processes substantially independent of the first and second spaced plates.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cage defines an interior cavity and wherein at least one of the top portion or the bottom portion of the cage defines a graft window in communication with the interior cavity.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second spaced plates each have an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein each upper portion has an upper portion longitudinal axis and each lower portion has a lower portion longitudinal axis.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the upper portion longitudinal axes is substantially collinear with the respective lower portion longitudinal axis.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the upper portion longitudinal axes is substantially parallel to the respective lower portion longitudinal axis.

6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the first and second spaced plates are substantially planar.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein first portions of the facing surface of the first plate are in a first plane and first portions of the facing surface of the second plate are in a second plane.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein second portions of the facing surface of at least one of the first or second plates are flared away and lie in a plane that is angled with respect to the respective first or second plane such that, when the device is implanted, the plates substantially conform to the shape of the spinous processes.

9. The device of claim 8 , further comprising at least one first bone engaging spike protruding from and substantially transverse to at least one of the first portions of the facing surfaces, wherein the at least one first bone engaging spike has a longitudinal axis.

10. The device of claim 9 , further comprising at least one second bone engaging spike protruding from at least one second portion of at least one facing surfaces, wherein the at least one second bone engaging spike has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one first bone engaging spike.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein portions of at least one of the facing surfaces are recessed to accommodate the positioning of the cage.