Spine distraction implant

Abstract

A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.

1 . An implant for relieving pain associated with the spinal column which is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column, comprising: 
 a first unit including a body, a distraction guide extending from said body in order to assist in the positioning of said body between and distraction of said adjacent spinous processes, and a first wing;    a second wing;    said body including a second wing receiver that can receive said second wing, said body adapted for positioning between the adjacent spinous processes, with the first wing adapted to be positionable along first sides of the adjacent spinous processes and the second wing adapted to be positionable along second sides of the spinous processes; and    wherein once said body is positioned between adjacent spinous processes, said distraction guide can be removed from said body.    
   
   
       2 . An implant for relieving pain associated with the spinal column which is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column, comprising: 
 a first unit including a body, a distraction guide extending from said body in order to assist in the positioning of said body between and distraction of said adjacent spinous processes, and a first wing; and    a second wing removably connectable with said body; and    wherein said guide is removable from said body.    
   
   
       3 . An implant positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column, comprising: 
 a distracting body;    a bulbous distraction end removably connected with said distracting body for positioning said distracting body between adjacent spinous processes;    a first wing connected with said distracting body at an end of said distracting body opposite said bulbous distraction end;    a second wing removably connectable with said distracting body;    wherein once said distracting body is positioned between adjacent spinous processes, said bulbous distraction end can be removed from said distracting body.    
   
   
       4 . An implant positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column, comprising: 
 a distracting body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distracting body including: 
 a bulbous distraction guide removably connected with said proximal end in order to assist in the positioning of said distracting body between and the distraction of adjacent spinous processes;  
 a first wing connected with said distal end; and  
 a means for receiving;  
   a second wing removably connectable with said means for receiving; and    wherein once said distracting body is positioned between adjacent spinous processes, said bulbous distraction guide can be removed from said proximal end.    
   
   
       5 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein said second wing is removably connected with said means for receiving by one of a screw, a bolt and a pin.  
   
   
       6 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second wing are each shaped to approximate a contour of adjacent lamina.