US20080021471A1 - System and Method for Immobilizing Adjacent Spinous Processes - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM
• This application is a divisional application which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/774,664, filed on Feb. 9, 2004 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-003610US), which claims the benefit of under 35 U.S.C. §109(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/446,868, entitled “A System and Method for Immobilizing Adjacent Spinous Processes,” (Attorney Docket No. 19433A-003600US), filed Feb. 12, 2003, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The following U.S. patent applications are cross-referenced and incorporated herein by reference:
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/829,321, entitled “SPINE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD” by David Yun, filed Apr. 9, 2001 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-002300US);
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/421,921, entitled “INTERSPINOUS PROCESS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH A SELECTABLY EXPANDABLE SPACER” by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, and Charles J. Winslow, filed Oct. 29, 2002 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-003100US);
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/579,039, entitled SUPPLEMENTAL SPINE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow and Henry A. Klyce, filed May 26, 2000 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-002000US);
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/842,819, entitled SUPPLEMENTAL SPINE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD by James F. Zuchernan, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow and Henry A. Klyce, filed Apr. 26, 2001 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-002110US);
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/982,418, entitled SUPPLEMENTAL SPINE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, Steve Mitchell, Scott Yerby and Henry A. Klyce, filed Oct. 18, 2001 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-002210US);
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/306,262, entitled SUPPLEMENTAL SPINE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, Steve Mitchell, Scott Yerby and Henry A. Klyce, filed Jul. 18, 2001 (Atty. Docket No.
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/421,915, entitled INTERSPINOUS PROCESS IMPLANT WITH RADIOLUCENT SPACER AND LEAD-IN TISSUE EXPANDER by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, John Flynn and Steve Mitchell, filed Oct. 29, 2002 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-003300US); and
• U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/230,505, entitled DEFLECTABLE SPACER FOR USE AS AN INTERSPINOUS PROCESS IMPLANT AND METHOD by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow and John Flynn, filed Aug. 29, 2002 (Atty. Docket No. 19433A-003011US).
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• NOT APPLICABLE
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK.
• NOT APPLICABLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• The present invention relates to methods and systems for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes which, byway of example only, supplement a primary spine fusion device, such as an interbody fusion device.
• 2. Background
• A common procedure for handling pain associated with degenerative spinal disk disease uses devices for fusing together two or more adjacent vertebral bodies. The procedure is known by a number of terms, one of which is interbody fusion. Interbody fusion can be accomplished through the use of a number of methods and devices known in the art. These methods and devices include screw arrangements, solid bone implant methodologies, and fusion devices which include a cage or other mechanism packed with bone and/or bone growth inducing substances. One or more of the above are implanted between adjacent vertebral bodies in order to fuse the vertebral bodies together, thereby alleviating associated pain.
• It can be advantageous to associate with such primary fusion devices and methods, supplemental devices which assist in the fusion process. These supplemental devices assist during the several month period when bone from the adjacent vertebral bodies is growing together through the primary fusion device in order to fuse the adjacent vertebral bodies. During this period it is advantageous to have the vertebral bodies held immobile with respect to each other so that sufficient bone growth can be established.
• Such supplemental devices can include hook and rod arrangements, screw arrangements, and a number of other devices which include straps, wires, and bands, all of which are used to immobilize one portion of the spine relative to another. All of these devices generally require extensive surgical procedures in addition to the extensive procedure surrounding the primary fusion implant.
• It is advantageous for a device and procedure for supplemental spine fixation to be as simple and easy to perform as possible, and optimally such a device and procedure leaves bone, ligament, and other tissue which comprise and surround the spine intact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Further details of embodiments of the present invention are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention positioned about adjacent spinous processes;
• FIG. 2A is a top view of the system shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 2B is a close-up view of two grips positioned on opposite sides of a spinous process as shown inFIG. 2A;
• FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with an expanding spacer;
• FIG. 4A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with a slot for positioning a pin having lobed cut-outs;
• FIG. 4B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with a slot for positioning a pin having a knurled periphery; and
• FIG. 5 is a representation of a method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIGS. 1-2B illustrate a system for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem100 comprises a scaffold formed by twoplates104a,badjustably connected bypins110 inserted throughslots106 in each plate. Eachplate104a,bis positioned generally along a plane parallel to a plane formed by the major axis of the spinous processes, with afirst plate104apositioned on one side of protruding adjacent spinous processes, and asecond plate104bpositioned on an opposite side of the adjacent spinous processes, such that the spinous processes are sandwiched between the two plates. Eachplate104a,bincludes two grips, eachgrip214a,bcomprising part of a clamp adapted for gripping the spinous processes to prevent shifting of thesystem100 relative to the spine and to assist in immobilizing the adjacent spinous processes.
• As shown inFIG. 2B, a clamp comprises agrip214afrom afirst plate104aand agrip214bfrom asecond plate104b. Thegrip214afrom thefirst plate104ais oriented such that the grip substantially opposes a face of a spinous process. Thegrip214bfrom thesecond plate104bis oriented such that the grip substantially opposes the opposite face of the spinous process. Thegrips214a,bare spaced along the length of theplates104a,bsuch that each pair ofgrips214a,bis positioned about a spinous process. In other embodiments, and in the same way that spacers102 are moveable inslots106, thegrips214a,bcan be moveably connected to grip slots in theplates104a,b, thereby allowing eachgrip214a,bto be moved laterally relative to everyother grip214a,b, thus allowing eachgrip214a,bto be substantially centered with respect to an associated spinous process.
• Eachgrip214a,bis adjustably connected with an associatedplate104a,bby a threadedbolt116 having preferably a hexagonal head for engaging the bolt116. Twisting the threadedbolt116 in a first direction drives thebolt116, and consequently thegrip214a,b, toward the spinous process. Twisting the threadedbolt116 in a direction opposite the first direction drives thegrip214a,baway from the spinous process. In other embodiments, thegrip214a,bcan be connected to theplate104a,bby a slotted screw. In still other embodiments, thegrip214a,bcan be connected to theplate104a,bby a socketed screw. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the myriad of different fasteners that can be used to adjustably connect eachgrip214a,bwith an associatedplate104a,b.
• Thebolts116 are provided through a threaded bore in theplates104a,b. Turning thebolts116 moves the bolts and thegrips214a,bsecured thereto relative to theplates104a,b. The ends of thebolts116 can be either fixedly or rotatably secured to thegrips214a,b. Thebolts116 can be rotatably secured to thegrips214a,bas is know in the art. For example, the ends of the bolts can include a circumferential lip that is received in an undercut groove in a bore of thegrips214a,b. The lip is free to rotate in the groove of the bore. Where thebolts116 are fixedly secured to thegrips214a,b, thegrips214a,bare preferably circular in cross-section (as thebolts116 are tightened, thegrips214a,brotate relative to theplates104a,band thus relative to the spinous processes). One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different means for adjustably connecting thegrip214a,bwith theplate104a,b.
• Theplates104a,band threadedbolts116 can be made of stainless steel, titanium, and/or other biologically acceptable material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). In one embodiment, thegrips214a,bcan similarly be comprised of a biologically acceptable material such as stainless steel, titanium, and/or other material such as PEEK, with the surface that comes into contact with the spinous process having a roughened or uneven surface. The contacting surface can, for example, be knurled or it can contain spikes to allow thegrips214a,bto engage the bone of the spinous processes. In other embodiments, thegrips214a,bcan be comprised of silicon or other biologically acceptable polymer or material (such as presented below with respect to the spacers). The material can be somewhat deformable and can conform to the surface of the spinous processes.
• As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2A, thesystem100 has a single clamp positioned at each of two spinous processes, each clamp being comprised of twogrips214a,bon opposite sides of an associated spinous process. However, in other embodiments, a plurality of clamps (with associatedgrips214a,b) can be positioned at selected spinous processes. Thus, for each surface of each spinous process there can be two or more grips. With several grips, each grip can be tightened against a portion of the surface of a spinous process independently of the other adjacent grip that is tightened against a different portion of the same surface of the spinous process. This system can accordingly accommodate uneven surfaces of the spinous processes with each grip tightened against a portion of a surface of a spinous process that is not even with another portion of the surface of the spinous process.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, theplates104a,bare secured together withpins110. Apin110 can have a threaded bore for receiving a screw or bolt having a hexagonal, slotted, or other type of head at each end of thepin110. Alternatively, one or both ends of thepin110 can be threaded for receiving a nut, or lug for example, or other fastener. Thepin110 can be made of a material similar to theplates104a,b, for example, thepin110 can be made of stainless steel, titanium or other biologically acceptable material. At least one fastener for eachpin110 is tightened so that the pins pull theplates104a,btoward one another as desired. Alternatively, thepins110 can have a main body diameter thicker than the height of aslot106 with a thinner threaded end for passing through the slot, thereby predefining a space betweenplates104a,b.
• The clamps are adjusted as desired either before or after the fastener(s) of thepins110 are tightened, thereby allowing the clamps to grip the spinous processes, making thesystem100 rigid. Aspacer102 is moveably and rotatably connected with eachpin110 betweenplates104a,b. Thespacer102 is substantially cylindrical in shape with an elliptical cross-section sized to conform to a gap between spinous processes in which thespacer102 is to be inserted. Theelliptical spacer102 has opposite, slightly curved (or relatively flat) surfaces that can distribute the load placed on the spacer by the spinous processes between which thespacer102 is positioned. Thespacer102 further has curved ends connecting the slightly curved surfaces. The curved ends point substantially posteriorly and anteriorly. The anteriorly pointing ends approach the spine. In other embodiments thespacer102 can have an egg-shaped cross-section with the curved end pointing toward the spine being smaller that the curved end pointing posteriorly in order to allow thespacer102 to more closely approach the spine. In still other embodiments, thespacer102 can have a cross-section having an ovoid, oval or even spherical shape, for example. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different cross-sectional shapes with which thespacer102 can be formed in order to distribute load within thespacer102.
• One advantage of using thespacer102 depicted inFIG. 1 is that thespacer102 can be partially rotated and repositioned with respect to thesystem100 in order to optimize positioning of thespacer102 between spinous processes. Thesystem100 is thus designed to account for the various spine structures found in patients. Without having to remove bone from the spine or make multiple adjustments to a hardware system, thespacers102 and also thegrips214a,ballow thesystem100 to easily conform to the structure of an associated spine. Further, ease of use and placement allow procedures for implanting thesystem100 to be carried out more quickly and with less potential trauma to the surgical site. Still further, as indicated above, thespacers102 can be located closer to the spine where the bone is stronger, thus affording maximum load bearing and stabilizing support relative to the spine. Such load bearing and stabilizing support is advantageous when thesystem100 is used as an adjunct to the fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies. It is to be understood that the cortical bone or the outer bone of the spinous processes is stronger at an anterior position adjacent to the vertebral bodies of the vertebra than at a posterior position distally located from the vertebral bodies.
• Still further, for load bearing it is advantageous for thespacer102 to be close to the vertebral bodies. In order to facilitate this and to accommodate the anatomical form of the bone structures, thespacer102 rotates relative to thesystem100 as thespacer102 is inserted between the spinous processes and/or urged toward the vertebral bodies so that thespacer102 is optimally positioned between the spinous processes and thesystem100 is optimally positioned relative to the spinous processes. The shape of thespacer102 is designed so that it conforms to the area that thespacer102 is inserted into. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thespacer102 is not limited to having an elliptical cross-section. For example, thespacer102 can be substantially spherical in cross-section or egg shaped as set forth above.
• As can be seen inFIG. 1, thespacers102 can be of various sizes. Thus for example, using imaging prior to surgery, the anatomy of the individual patient can be determined and thesystem100 assembled to suit the particular patient. Additionally, during surgery the physician can be provided with a kit having differentsized spacers102 and the physician can assemble thesystem100 with appropriatelysized spacers102 to fit the anatomy of the patient. In this embodiment thepins110 can be comprised of rods with threaded bores at each end that receive bolts or screws used to secure the pins between twoplates104a,bwith thespacer102 rotatably mounted on thepins110.
• In other embodiments, thespacer102 can be comprised of two portions adjustably connected by a hinge to allow expansion of thespacer102. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, thespacer102 is comprised of afirst portion330 and asecond portion332 that together have a minor dimension that can be adjusted by rotating aball334 connected with alead screw336, such that theball334 alternatively forces the minor dimension to expand or allows the minor dimension to collapse. Such a spacer is described in pending U.S. Patent Application No. 60/421,921, entitled “INTERSPINOUS PROCESS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH A SELECTABLY EXPANDABLE SPACER” by James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, and Charles J. Winslow (Atty Docket No. 19433A-003100S), incorporated herein by reference.
• Thespacer102 can be made of a polymer, such as a thermoplastic, and can be formed by extrusion, injection, compression molding and/or machining techniques. Specifically, thespacer102 can be made of a polyketone such as PEEK. One type of PEEK is PEEK 450G, which is an unfilled PEEK approved for medical implantation available from Victrex of Lancashire, Great Britain. Other sources of this material include Gharda located in Panoli, India. PEEK 450G has appropriate physical and mechanical properties and is suitable for carrying and spreading the physical load between the spinous process. For example in this embodiment the PEEK has the following approximate properties:
• 1 Density 1.3 g/cc Rockwell M 99 Rockwell R 126 Tensile Strength 97 MPa Modulus of Elasticity 3.5 GPa Flexural Modulus 4.1 Gpa
• It should be noted that the material selected may also be filled. For example, other grades of PEEK available and contemplated include 30% glass-filled or 30% carbon-filled PEEK, provided such materials are cleared for use in implantable devices by the FDA or other regulatory body. Glass-filled PEEK reduces the expansion rate and increases the flexural modulus of PEEK relative to unfilled PEEK. The resulting product is known to be ideal for improved strength, stiffness, or stability. Carbon-filled PEEK is known to enhance the compressive strength and stiffness of PEEK and lower its expansion rate. Carbon-filled PEEK offers wear resistance and load carrying capability.
• As can be appreciated, other suitable biologically acceptable thermoplastic or thermoplastic polycondensate materials that resist fatigue, have good memory, are flexible and/or deflectable, have very low moisture absorption and have good wear and/or abrasion resistance, can be used without departing from the scope of the invention other materials that can be used include polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetherketoneetherketoneketone (PEKEKK), and polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK), and generally a polyaryletheretherketone. Further, other polyketones can be used, as well as other thermoplastics. Still further, silicon can also be used or the spacer can be made of titanium and/or stainless steel.
• Reference to appropriate polymers that can be used in the spacer can be made to the following documents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: PCT Publication WO 02/02158 A1, dated Jan. 10, 2002 and entitled Bio-Compatible Polymeric Materials; PCT Publication WO 02/00275 A1, dated Jan. 3, 2002 and entitled Bio-Compatible Polymeric Materials; and PCT Publication WO 02/00270 A1, dated Jan. 3, 2002 and entitled Bio-Compatible Polymeric Materials. Other materials such as Bionate.RTM., polycarbonate urethane, available from the Polymer Technology Group, Berkeley, Calif., may also be appropriate because of the good oxidative stability, biocompatibility, mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. Other thermoplastic materials and other high molecular weight polymers can be used.
• As mentioned above, eachspacer102 can be connected with apin110 that adjustably connects thefirst plate104awith thesecond plate104b. In one embodiment, eachplate104a,bhas threeslots106 spaced and sized such that theslots106 span approximately the width of the gap between the associated adjacent spinous processes when a patient is standing up. The length of theslots106 should allow for necessary adjustment of thespacers102 so that the anatomy of the adjacent spinous processes can be accommodated with the spinous processes immobilized between thespacers102. In thesystem100 shown inFIG. 1, the middle of threeslots106 is sized larger than theslots106 on either end of the plates. However, in other embodiments, theslots106 can be sized relative to one another based on the vertebral bodies that are intended to be immobilized.
• As described above, apin110 can be fitted into aslot106 in eachplate104a,b. The width of theslot106 allows thepin110 to be optimally positioned within the gap between spinous processes, while still being fixable to theplates104a,b. Thepin110 can be fixedly connected with eachplate104a,bby a bolt, screw, nut or other fastener, optionally coupled with a washer. To prevent theplates104a,band pins110 from slipping and shifting relative to one another, a number of different type of slots can be employed to fix thepin110 in position. As shown inFIG. 4A, one type ofslot106 that can be used is a slot having cut-outs, lobes, or scallops440 sized such that the cut-outs, lobes or scallops440 have diameters slightly larger than the diameter of thepin110, but are separated such that the adjacent cut-outs, lobes, or scallops are joined at a space narrower than the diameter of thepin110 so that thepin110 is prevented from sliding to the adjacent position. Another type ofslot106, shown inFIG. 4B, includes knurls around each slot's periphery, intended to be used with a knurled washer placed between a fastener and aplate104a,b. The knurls on the respective surfaces grip each other when the fastener is tightened, preventing thepin110 from moving in theslot106. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different means for fixing apin110 in aslot106 to prevent thepin110 from moving relative to theplate104a,b.
• In alternative embodiments, thesystem100 can comprise one or twoplates104a,bwithspacers102 rotatably secured thereto (foregoing the use of grips). Thesystem100 can be implanted and the position of thespacers102 can be adjusted relative to theslots106, the one or twoplates104a,b, and the spinous processes in order to immobilize the spinous processes
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing steps for performing a method for inserting asystem100 into a patient in order to immobilize vertebral bodies in accordance with the present invention. As shown infirst block500, a first, second andthird spacer102 is selected according to the size of the gap between spinous processes that eachspacer102 will occupy. Eachspacer102 is moveably connected with an associated pin110 (step502). An incision is made in the patient proximate to vertebral bodies to be immobilized (step504), and the spinous processes and surrounding tissues are exposed. Eachspacer102 is then inserted into position between targeted spinous processes (step506) and allowed to rotate and adjust to conform as closely as possible to the contours of the space. Afirst plate104ais inserted into the patient and positioned such that a first end of eachpin110 fits into a slot106 (step508). Eachpin110 is fixedly connected to thefirst plate104aby a fastener, for example a bolt or slotted screw (step510). Asecond plate104bis inserted into the patient and positioned such that a second end of eachpin110 fits into a slot106 (step512). Eachpin110 is fixedly connected to thesecond plate104bby a fastener, for example a bolt or slotted screw (step514). Finally, thegrips214a,bare incrementally tightened so that each clamp grips an associated spinous process (step516). The incision is closed (step518).
• In other embodiments, a method in accordance with the present invention can be applied where there are more or less than threespacers102, and/or more or less than two clamps. The configuration of asystem100 will depend on the area intended to be immobilized, and the requirements of the patient.
• Other methods of insertion, include having thesystem100 fully assembled prior to insertion. For this method, the surgical site is prepared and then thesystem100 is pushed down over the ends of the spinous processes until thesystem100 rests in a desired location. At this point thegrips214a,bare tightened in place about the spinous processes.
• Still alternatively, thesystem100 can be partially assembled with thespacers102 assembled with afirst plate104a. This subassembly is positioned alongside of the spinous processes and thespacers102 are urged between the adjacent spinous processes. When thespacers102 are positioned, thesecond plate104bis secured to thesystem100.
• The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims and their equivalence. As shown inFIG. 2B, a clamp comprises agrip214afrom afirst plate104aand agrip214bfrom asecond plate104b. Thegrip214afrom thefirst plate104ais oriented such that the grip substantially opposes a face of a spinous process. Thegrip214bfrom thesecond plate104bis oriented such that the grip substantially opposes the opposite face of the spinous process. Thegrips214a,bare spaced along the length of theplates104a,bsuch that each pair ofgrips214a,bis positioned about a spinous process. In other embodiments, and in the same way that spacers102 are moveable inslots106, thegrips214a,bcan be moveably connected to grip slots in theplates104a,b, thereby allowing eachgrip214a,bto be moved laterally relative to everyother grip214a,b, thus allowing eachgrip214a,bto be substantially centered with respect to an associated spinous process.

Claims (21)

1. A method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes, comprising:

placing at least one spacer between adjacent spinous processes by inserting each of the at least one spacer between a separate pair of spinous processes;

either prior to or after the placing step, operably connecting a first plate with the at least one spacer, such that at least one grip attached to the first plate is positioned adjacent to a first flat side of a spinous process; operably connecting a second plate with the at least one spacer;

adjusting the at least one grip on the first plate such that the at least one grip is tight against the spinous process; and

adjusting the at least one grip on the second plate such that the at least one grip is tight against the spinous process.

2. The method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes ofclaim 1, wherein each of the at least one spacer is connected with the first plate by a first end of a pin and is moveable relative to the pin.

3. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes ofclaim 2, wherein the first end of the pin is connected with the first plate by one of a bolt and a threaded screw.

4. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes ofclaim 1, wherein the placing step places the spacer such that the spacer is movable relative to the plates.

5. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes ofclaim 1, wherein the placing step places the spacer such that the spacer is rotatable relative to the plate.

6. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes ofclaim 1, wherein each of the at least one grip is adjusted by rotating one of a bolt and a threaded screw.

7. A method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes, comprising:

placing a spacer between first and second adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes and placing a second spacer between second and third spinous processes;

either prior to or after the placing steps, operably connecting a first plate to the spacer;

operably connecting a second plate to the spacers;

adjusting the position of the first spacer and the position of the second spacer in order to immobilize the second spinous process.

8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein said placing step includes placing the spacers between the spinous processes from the sides of the spinous processes.

9. The method ofclaim 7 including a first grip located on the first plate and a second grip located on the second plate and the method including the step of tightening the first grip and the second grip about a spinous process.

10. The method ofclaim 7 including adjusting the position of a grip relative to a spinous process in order to secure the first and second plates relative to the spinous process.

11. The method ofclaim 7 including the step of placing a third spacer between the third and a fourth spinous process and adjusting the position of the third spacer in order to immobilize the third spinous process between the second and the third spacers.

12. A system that is adapted to immobilize spinous processes comprising:

a structure;

a first spacer that is rotatably mounted to the structure;

a second spacer that is rotatably mounted to the structure; and

wherein said first and second spacers are shaped and adapted to be positioned between spinous processes.

13. The system ofclaim 12 wherein said spacers are cylindrical in shape.

14. The system ofclaim 12 wherein said spacers are one of elliptical, ovoid, oval, and race track in shape.

15. The system ofclaim 12 wherein said first and second spacers can rotate about a first axis and a second axis respectively, and wherein the position of at least one of the first axis and the second axis can be adjusted relative to the system.

16. The system ofclaim 12 including means for affixing at least one of the first spacer and the second spacer in different positions relative to the system in order to immobilize a spinous process between the first and second spacer.

17. The system ofclaim 12 including the structure including a slot and at least one of the first and second spacers includes a mechanism that can secure the at least first and second spacer in various locations in the slot.

18. The system ofclaim 12 including the structure including a slot having at least one of scallops, cut-outs, and lobes and at least one of the first and second spacers can be secured at different locations in the slot by being positioned relative to the at least one of scallops, cut-outs, and lobes.

19. The system ofclaim 12 including means adapted for clamping the system to one or more spinous processes.

20. The system ofclaim 12 including a grip that can be adjustably positioned in order to tighten the system against a spinous process.

21. The system ofclaim 12 wherein at least one of the first spacer and the second spacer can be expanded.

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