SPINAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS
The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.
1 - 72 . (canceled)
73 . A spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of a human spine, the spinal implant comprising:
a spacer including a first end, a second end, a plurality of channels, and a spacer axis extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of channels extending through the spacer parallel to the spacer axis; and
a plurality of deployable retention members extendable through the plurality of channels.
74 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein each deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members is adapted to grip one of the adjacent processes when deployed through a channel of the plurality of channels.
75 . The spinal implant of claim 74 , wherein each deployable retention member is curved to extend radially away from the spacer axis when deployed through a channel of the plurality of channels.
76 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are axially slidable through the plurality of channels.
77 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are retractable during implantation of the spinal implant between adjacent processes.
78 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are straightenable for implantation of the spinal implant between adjacent processes.
79 . The spinal implant of claim 78 , wherein each deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members includes a stop to prevent complete withdrawal from a channel of the plurality of channels.
80 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein each deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members and each channel of the plurality of channels include complimentary rectangular cross sectional shapes.
81 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein the spacer is hollow resulting in the spacer having an outer surface spaced from the spacer axis.
82 . The spinal implant of claim 73 , wherein the first end and the second end are tapered to facilitate implantation between adjacent processes.
83 . A spinal implant system for implanting a spinal implant between adjacent spinous processes, the system comprising:
the spinal implant including:
a hollow body including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the first end and the second end including a plurality of channels; and
a plurality of deployable retention members extendable through the plurality of channels and extending through the hollow body parallel to the longitudinal axis*; and a implantation tube configured to contain at least a portion of the spinal implant for positioning between the adjacent spinous processes.
84 . The spinal implant system of claim 83 , wherein the implantation tube contains straightened portions of the plurality of deployable retention members for implantation between the adjacent spinous processes.
85 . A spinal implant comprising:
a hollow body adapted for implantation between adjacent spinous processes, the hollow body including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and
a plurality of deployable retention members extendable through the hollow body and when deployed the plurality of deployable retention members extending radially away from the longitudinal axis to grip at least a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes.
86 . The spinal implant of claim 85 , wherein the first end and the second end each include a plurality of channels, each channel of the plurality of channels adapted to hold a portion of a deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members.
87 . The spinal implant of claim 86 , wherein the plurality of channels operate to hold a portion of each deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members parallel to the longitudinal axis as each deployable retention member extends through the hollow body.
88 . The spinal implant of claim 87 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are axially slidable through the plurality of channels.
89 . The spinal implant of claim 87 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are retractable during implantation of the spinal implant between adjacent spinous processes.
90 . The spinal implant of claim 87 , wherein the plurality of deployable retention members are straightenable for implantation of the spinal implant between adjacent spinous processes.
91 . The spinal implant of claim 87 , wherein each deployable retention member of the plurality of deployable retention members and each channel of the plurality of channels include complimentary rectangular cross sectional shapes.
92 . The spinal implant of claim 87 , wherein the first end and the second end are tapered to facilitate implantation of the hollow body between adjacent spinous processes.