# US 10,117,682 B2 · Adjustable spine distraction implant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,682 B2 - Document ID: US10117682B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/090,257 - Filed: 2016-04-04 - Published: 2016-11-10 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-28 - Assignees: Life Spine, Inc. - Applicants: Life Spine, Inc. - Inventors: Madeline C. Wolters; Michael S. Butler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117682B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7068: {Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7055: {connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull} - A61B 17/7065: {Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7047: {Clamps comprising opposed elements which grasp one vertebra between them} - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B 2017/00858: {high friction or non-slip} - A61F 2/4405: {for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes (devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable spinal implant comprising: a body portion including: a first end; a second end, a wedging member including an external wedging member surface configured to interface with an adjacent vertebral body, the wedging member including an elongated channel extending from a closed first end defined in a side wedging member surface to an open second end defined in the external wedging member surface; and a retention pin extending through a sidewall of the body portion and slidingly received in the channel such that the retention pin engages the first closed end to limit the maximum expansion of the at least one wedging member; a first wing fixed relative to the first end of the body portion; and a second wing adjustably coupled to the body portion such that the distance between the first wing and the second wing is adjustable by a user; wherein the first and second wings include inward facing surfaces configured to be positioned adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second inward facing surfaces each comprise a recess configured to promote bone growth around the implant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein each inward facing surface comprises a plurality of spikes configured to engage vertebral bone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first wing comprises a first central portion, a first upper extension extending superiorly from the first central portion, and a first lower extension extending inferiorly from the first central portion, and wherein the second wing comprises a second central portion, a second upper extension extending superiorly from the second central portion, and a second lower extension extending inferiorly from the second central portion; wherein the first and second upper extensions each include a first offset portion extending in one of an anterior and posterior direction; and wherein the first and second lower extensions each include a second offset portion extending in the other of the anterior and posterior direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first wing comprises a first central portion, a first upper extension extending superiorly and posteriorly from the first central portion, and a first lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the first central portion, and wherein the second wing comprises a second central portion, a second upper extension extending superiorly and posteriorly from the second central portion, and a second lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the second central portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second wings comprises a central portion and an extension extending from the central portion, the extension being adjustable in the anterior-superior direction relative to the central portion of the wing, the extension comprising at least one projection configured to engage a channel formed in the wing to secure the projection in position relative to the wing. ### Claim 7 An adjustable spinal implant comprising: a body portion including: a first end; a second end including a solid bull nose; at least one wedging member received in a cavity of the body portion to be adjustable in a first direction and including a channel extending parallel to the first direction, the at least one wedging member including an external wedging member surface configured to engage bone; and at least one retention member received within the channel and configured to limit a degree of movement of the at least one wedging member; a first wing fixed relative to the first end of the body portion; and a second wing adjustably coupled to the body portion such that the distance between the first wing and the second wing is adjustable by a user; wherein the first and second wings include inward facing surfaces configured to be positioned adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient, wherein each inward facing surface comprises a plurality of spikes configured to engage vertebral bone; wherein the retention member includes a pin slidably movable within the channel between a first open end of the channel defined in the external wedging member surface, where the wedging member is at a position of minimum expansion, and a second closed end of the channel defined in a side wedging member surface, where the pin engages the second closed end to limit the wedging member to a position of maximum expansion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The adjustable implant of claim 7, wherein the at least one wedging member includes first and second wedging members extending in opposite directions away from opposite top and bottom surfaces of the body portion. ### Claim 9 An adjustable spinal implant comprising: a body portion including: a first end; a second end; a sidewall extending from the first end to the second end; at least one wedging member movable relative to the sidewall and including an external wedging member surface configured to engage bone, the wedging member including a channel elongated in a direction of movement of the wedging member, the channel extending from a first closed end defined in a side wedging member surface to a second open end defined in the external wedging member surface; and a retention pin extending through the sidewall and slidingly received in the channel such that the retention pin engages the first closed end to limit the maximum expansion of the at least one wedging member; a first wing fixed relative to the first end of the body portion; and a second wing adjustably coupled to the body portion such that the distance between the first wing and the second wing is adjustable by a user; wherein the first and second wings include inward facing surfaces configured to be positioned adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient, wherein each inward facing surface comprises a plurality of spikes configured to engage vertebral bone. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein each of the body portion, the first wing, and the second wing includes at least one aperture configured to promote bone growth about the implant. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein the first wing comprises a first central portion, a first upper extension extending superiorly and anteriorly from the first central portion, and a first lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the first central portion, and wherein the second wing comprises a second central portion, a second upper extension extending superiorly and anteriorly from the second central portion, and a second lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the second central portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein the first wing comprises a first central portion, a first upper extension extending superiorly and posteriorly from the first central portion, and a first lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the first central portion, and wherein the second wing comprises a second central portion, a second upper extension extending superiorly and posteriorly from the second central portion, and a second lower extension extending inferiorly and posteriorly from the second central portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second wings comprises a central portion and an extension extending from the central portion, the extension being adjustable in the anterior-superior direction relative to the central portion of the wing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The implant of claim 13, wherein the extension and the central portion comprise complementary shaped teeth configured to enable adjustment of the extension relative to the central portion in only a single direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The implant of claim 9, wherein each inward facing surface includes a recess extending above and below the body portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The implant of claim 15, wherein the recess is defined by an upstanding wall portion extending about the periphery of the recess. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The implant of claim 15, wherein the recess has a substantially uniform depth.