Spinal implants and methods

Abstract

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.