Interspinous process brace

Abstract

An interspinous process brace is disclosed and can include a superior component and an inferior component. The superior component can include a superior spinous process bracket that can engage a superior spinous process. The inferior component can include an inferior spinous process bracket that can engage an inferior spinous process. Further, the interspinous process brace can be moved between a bent configuration and a straight configuration. In the bent configuration, an overall height of the interspinous process brace can be minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.

1 . An interspinous process brace, comprising: 
 a superior component comprising a superior spinous process bracket configured to engage a superior spinous process; and    an inferior component comprising an inferior spinous process bracket configured to engage an inferior spinous process, wherein the interspinous process brace is movable between a bent configuration and a straight configuration, wherein in the bent configuration an overall height of the interspinous process brace is minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       2 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a central component connecting the superior component and the inferior component, wherein the central component is configured to allow the interspinous process brace to move between the bent configuration and the straight configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 2 , wherein a Young's modulus of the inferior component and a Young's modulus of the superior component are greater than a Young's modulus of the central component.  
   
   
       4 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 2 , wherein the superior component and the inferior component are made from a first biocompatible material and the central component is made from a second biocompatible material.  
   
   
       5 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 4 , wherein a Young's modulus of the first biocompatible material is greater than a Young's modulus of the second biocompatible material.  
   
   
       6 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 2 , wherein the superior component, the inferior component, the central component, or a combination thereof are made from a biocompatible material.  
   
   
       7 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 6 , wherein the superior component and the inferior component are cross-linked.  
   
   
       8 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 7 , wherein a Young's modulus of the inferior component and a Young's modulus of the superior component are greater than a Young's modulus of the central component.  
   
   
       9 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 1 , further comprising an inferior spinous process engagement structure extending from the inferior spinous process bracket.  
   
   
       10 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 9 , further comprising a superior spinous process engagement structure extending from the superior spinous process bracket.  
   
   
       11 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 1 , further comprising an inferior tether configured to at least partially loop around the inferior spinous process and bind the inferior spinous process to the inferior spinous process bracket.  
   
   
       12 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 11 , further comprising a superior tether configured to at least partially loop around the superior spinous process and bind the superior spinous process to the superior spinous process bracket.  
   
   
       13 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve is movable between an unlocked position wherein the interspinous process brace is movable to the bent configuration and a locked position wherein the interspinous process brace is not movable to the bent configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 13 , further comprising a locking pin configured to engage the locking sleeve and keep the locking sleeve in the locked position.  
   
   
       15 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a central hinge connecting the superior component and the inferior component, wherein the central hinge is configured to allow the interspinous process brace to move between the bent configuration and the straight configuration.  
   
   
       16 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 15 , further comprising a locking pin configured to engage the central hinge and prevent the interspinous process brace from moving to the bent configuration.  
   
   
       17 . An interspinous process brace, comprising: 
 a superior spinous process bracket configured to engage a superior spinous process;    an inferior spinous process bracket configured to engage an inferior spinous process; and    a central component connecting the superior spinous process bracket and the inferior spinous process bracket, wherein the central component is configured to allow the interspinous process brace to move between a bent configuration and a straight configuration, wherein in the bent configuration an overall height of the interspinous process brace is minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       18 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 17 , further comprising a posterior locking plate, wherein the posterior locking plate is configured to prevent the interspinous process brace from moving to the bent configuration.  
   
   
       19 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 18 , wherein the posterior locking plate is configured to be installed between the superior spinous process bracket and the inferior spinous process bracket adjacent to the central component.  
   
   
       20 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 19 , further comprising an anterior locking plate, wherein the anterior locking plate is configured to prevent the interspinous process brace from moving to the bent configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The interspinous process brace of  claim 20 , wherein the anterior locking plate is configured to be installed between the superior spinous process bracket and the inferior spinous process bracket adjacent to the central component.  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A method of treating a spine, comprising: 
 moving an interspinous process brace to a bent configuration;    installing the interspinous process brace between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process; and    returning the interspinous process brace to a straight configuration between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       24 .- 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . A method of treating a spine, comprising: 
 distracting a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process;    moving an interspinous process brace to a bent configuration;    installing the interspinous process brace between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; and    returning the interspinous process brace to a straight configuration between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       32 . A kit, comprising: 
 at least two interspinous process braces, each interspinous process brace comprising:    a superior component comprising a superior spinous process bracket configured to engage a superior spinous process; and    an inferior component comprising an inferior spinous process bracket configured to engage an inferior spinous process, wherein the interspinous process brace is movable between a bent configuration and a straight configuration, wherein in the bent configuration an overall height of the interspinous process brace is minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       33 . A kit, comprising: 
 an interspinous process brace, comprising:    a superior component comprising a superior spinous process bracket configured to engage a superior spinous process; and    an inferior component comprising an inferior spinous process bracket configured to engage an inferior spinous process, wherein the interspinous process brace is movable between a bent configuration and a straight configuration, wherein in the bent configuration an overall height of the interspinous process brace is minimized to facilitate installation between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; and    a locking pin configured to engage the interspinous process brace.    
   
   
       34 . A method of treating a spine, comprising: 
 moving an interspinous process brace to a bent configuration;    installing the interspinous process brace between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process; and    returning the interspinous process brace to a straight configuration in order to distract the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.    
   
   
       35 .- 38 . (canceled)