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Percutaneous spinal implants and methods

  • US 8,679,161 B2
  • Filed: 10/30/2007
  • Issued: 03/25/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:

  • a support member extending between a first end surface and a second end surface and including a portion configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes;

    a first retention member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion;

    the first retention member movable relative to the support member between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration;

    the first retention member configured to limit lateral movement of the support member relative to the adjacent spinous processes in at least one direction when the first retention member is in the deployed configuration;

    the central portion being spaced apart from the first end surface of the support member when the first retention member is in its retracted configuration;

    at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion being in contact with the first end surface of the support member when the first retention member is in its retracted configuration;

    the central portion being in contact with the first end surface of the support member when the first retention member is in its deployed configuration;

    the at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion being spaced apart from the first end surface of the support member when the first retention member is in its deployed configuration;

    a second retention member movable relative to the support member between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration;

    the second retention member configured to limit lateral movement of the support member relative to the adjacent spinous processes in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when the second retention member is in its deployed configuration;

    the second retention member disposed proximally relative to the support member and spaced from the first retention member by the support member;

    wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced apart by a first distance when the first retention member is in its retracted configuration and spaced apart by a second distance when the first retention member is in its deployed configuration;

    the second distance being greater than the first distance;

    a biasing member disposed within the support member and extending between the first end surface and the second end surface of the support member and operatively connected to the first and second retention members and biasing the first and second retention members toward their deployed configurations when the first and second retention members are in their retracted configurations.

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