Interspinous spacer

A method for implanting a spacer, the method comprising:

• coupling an insertion instrument onto a spacer that has arms with U-shaped ends by inserting prongs of a driver of the insertion instrument into notches of the spacer;
• and
• operating the insertion instrument by rotating the driver to drive an actuator of the spacer to gradually deploy the U-shaped ends of the arms such that the deployed U-shaped ends hold adjacent spinous processes of a subject while the insertion instrument extends out of the subject, wherein the insertion instrument is positioned through a supraspinous ligament of the subject when deploying the U-shaped ends of the arms;
• and
• separating the insertion instrument from the spacer positioned between the adjacent spinous processes.

A method for implanting an interspinous device in a patient, the method comprising:

• inserting prongs of a driver of an insertion instrument into notches in the interspinous device to couple the insertion instrument onto the interspinous device;
• inserting the interspinous device and a portion of the insertion instrument through a midline incision in the patient;
• positioning the interspinous device between a first protrusion of a first vertebra and a second protrusion of a second vertebra;
• rotating the driver of the insertion instrument to gradually deploy the interspinous device such that the interspinous device holds the first and second protrusions;
• and
• releasing the insertion instrument from the interspinous device positioned directly between the first and second protrusions.