Interspinous spacer

Abstract

A spacer for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes having a first and second end support, a connecting member, and a central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together, the central member expands into the expanded configuration to contact and support adjacent spinous processes.

1 . A device for annular repair comprising:
 a deformable member having first and second ends;   a collar attached to the second end of the deformable member;   a first end support fixed to the first end of the deformable member;   a second end support fixed to the collar, the second end support having a hole therethrough;   a connecting member fixed to the first end support and extending through the deformable member, and slideable within the hole in the second end support;   wherein pulling the connecting member through the second end support causes the deformable member to expand from a collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, the engaging elements configured to engage each other as the connecting member is pulled and the deformable member is expanded, the engaging elements maintaining the deformable member in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point to allow an excess portion of the connecting member to be broken off after pulling the connecting member to expand the deformable member. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the breaking point is adjacent the engaging element. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 . wherein the deformable member has a cavity through which the connecting member extends. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more projections on an outside of the deformable member and/or on an inner surface of the collar. 
     
     
         8 . An expandable device configured to be inserted into a hole in an annulus, the device comprising:
 a plug member having an expandable portion and a laterally extending portion, the expandable portion moveable between a collapsed state for insertion into the hole and an expanded state configured to plug the hole, the laterally extending portion configured to extend laterally along the surface surrounding the hole;   a first end support attached to the expandable portion;   a second end support attached to the laterally extending portion, the second end support having a hole extending therethrough; and   a connecting member attached to the first end support and extending through the second end support;   wherein pulling the connecting member through the second end support causes the expandable portion to expand and plug the hole in the annulus.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable portion includes a cavity through which the connecting member extends, the plug member configured such that when the connecting member is pulled, the expandable portion expands radially and sandwiches edges of the surface adjacent the hole between the radially expanded expandable portion and the laterally extending portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, the engaging elements configured to engage each other as the connecting member is pulled and the expandable portion is expanded, the engaging elements maintaining the expandable portion in the expanded state. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point to allow an excess portion of the connecting member to be broken off after pulling the connecting member to expand the expandable portion. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the breaking point is adjacent the engaging element. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more projections on an outside of the expandable portion and/or on an inner surface of the laterally extending portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method of annular repair comprising:
 providing an expandable plug, the plug including:
 a plug member having an expandable portion and a laterally extending portion, the expandable portion moveable between a collapsed state for insertion into the hole and an expanded state configured to plug the hole and prevent the plug member from being removed from the hole, the laterally extending portion configured to extend laterally along a tissue surface and prevent the plug member being inserted completely inside the hole; 
 a first end support attached to the expandable portion; 
 a second end support attached to the laterally extending portion, the second end support having a hole extending therethrough; and 
 a connecting member attached to the first end support and extending through the second end support; 
   inserting the expandable portion of the plug into an opening in the annulus in the collapsed state, with the laterally extending portion surrounding the opening; and   pulling the connecting member through the second end support, thereby causing the expandable portion to expand, sandwiching tissue surrounding the opening between the expandable portion and the laterally extending portion to seal the opening.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, wherein the step of pulling the connecting member includes pulling until the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support engage each other, thereby maintaining the expandable portion in the expanded state. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point, wherein after the connecting member is pulled through the second end support to expand the expandable portion of the plug, the method further comprises breaking off an excess portion of the connecting member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the predetermined breaking point is adjacent the engaging element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the expandable portion expands radially when the connecting member is pulled through the second end support.