System and method for spinal decompression

1. A system for performing a laminoplasty procedure in a spinal vertebra, comprising:

an implant configured to be placed on a previously formed lamina opening between a lamina and a lateral mass of the spinal vertebra, wherein the implant is shaped and dimensioned to be placed in the lamina opening after the opening has been distracted;

an inserter tool configured to insert the implant near the lamina opening and then to distract the lamina opening prior to inserting the implant into the lamina opening so that the lamina opening is dimensioned to receive the implant and the inserter tool is configured to then place the implant into the distracted lamina opening while simultaneously holding the lamina opening in a distracted state;

wherein the inserter tool comprises an elongated shaft and a distal end and wherein the distal end comprises first and second spreadable shims and wherein the first and second spreadable shims are shaped and dimensioned to pass through first and second openings formed in the implant, wherein the first and second spreadable shims have cross-sections matching cross-sections of the first and second openings, respectively, and wherein the implant is configured to slide down along the first and second shims by advancing the elongated shaft down and to spread the first and second shims apart.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the implant comprises an elongated body having first, second and third segments and wherein the first and third segments extend in opposite directions from opposite ends of the second segment and form first and second angles with an axis extending along the second segment, respectively.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the implant further comprises a first elongated opening formed in the first segment and wherein the first elongated opening extends along a first axis and comprises an oval shape and is dimensioned to hold a bone fastener in two different locations of the first elongated opening or two bone fasteners in the two different locations of the first elongated opening, respectively.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the implant further comprises a second elongated opening formed in the third segment and wherein the second elongated opening extends perpendicular to the first axis and comprises an oval shape and is dimensioned to hold a bone fastener in two different locations of the second elongated opening or two bone fasteners in the two different locations of the second elongated opening, respectively.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the implant further comprises a ledge extending from the second segment and being shaped and dimensioned to surround the lamina.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the implant further comprises a trough formed in the second segment and designed to accommodate bone graft.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inserter tool further comprises a spring lock that in a locked position allows the elongated shaft to travel proximally without rotating.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein first and second ends of the first and second shims are configured to engage first and second locations within or near the lamina opening, respectively, and to distract the lamina opening as they spread apart.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second shims comprises a hook.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the elongated shaft comprises a distal end component configured to engage the implant.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the inserter tool further comprises a handle attached to a proximal end of the shaft and wherein activation of the handle advances the elongated shaft down or up.

12. A method for performing a laminoplasty procedure in a spinal vertebra, comprising:

providing an implant configured to be placed on a previously formed lamina opening between a lamina and a lateral mass of the spinal vertebra, wherein the implant is shaped and dimensioned to be placed in the lamina opening after the opening has been distracted;

providing an inserter tool configured to insert the implant near the lamina opening and then to distract the lamina opening prior to inserting the implant into the lamina opening so that the lamina opening is dimensioned to receive the implant and the inserter tool is configured to then place the implant into the distracted lamina opening while simultaneously holding the lamina opening in a distracted state; and

wherein the inserter tool comprises an elongated shaft and a distal end and wherein the distal end comprises first and second spreadable shims and wherein the first and second spreadable shims are shaped and dimensioned to pass through first and second openings formed in the implant, wherein the first and second spreadable shims have cross-sections matching cross-sections of the first and second openings, respectively, and wherein the implant is configured to slide down along the first and second shims by advancing the elongated shaft down and to spread the first and second shims apart.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the implant comprises an elongated body having first, second and third segments and wherein the first and third segments extend in opposite directions from opposite ends of the second segment and form first and second angles with an axis extending along the second segment, respectively.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the implant further comprises a first elongated opening formed in the first segment and wherein the first elongated opening extends along a first axis and comprises an oval shape and is dimensioned to hold a bone fastener in two different locations of the first elongated opening or two bone fasteners in the two different locations of the first elongated opening, respectively.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the implant further comprises a second elongated opening formed in the third segment and wherein the second elongated opening extends perpendicular to the first axis and comprises an oval shape and is dimensioned to hold a bone fastener in two different locations of the second elongated opening or two bone fasteners in the two different locations of the second elongated opening, respectively.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the implant further comprises a ledge extending from the second segment and being shaped and dimensioned to surround the lamina.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the implant further comprises a trough formed in the second segment and designed to accommodate bone graft.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the inserter tool further comprises a spring lock that in a locked position allows the elongated shaft to travel proximally without rotating.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein first and second ends of the first and second shims are configured to engage first and second locations within or near the lamina opening, respectively, and to distract the lamina opening as they spread apart.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the first and second shims comprises a hook.