Central Structures Spreader for the Lumbar Spine

A spinal device for spreading of first and second vertebral elements, each of the first and second vertebral elements having a circumferential surface defining a vertebral body and a pedicle having a pedicle root portion adjacent the circumferential surface, comprising:

• a first end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the first vertebral element;
• a second end member having at least one surface adapted to conform to at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the second vertebral element;
• and
• a resilient member extending from and ratchetly engaged with said first end member;
• wherein said resilient member is adapted to be coupled to said second end member and is further adapted to exert a force against the first and second vertebral elements.

A method of spreading first and second vertebral elements apart, each of the first and second vertebral elements comprising a circumferential surface defining a vertebral body and a pedicle having a pedicle root portion adjacent the circumferential surface, the method comprising:

• providing a spreading device having first and end second members and a resilient member there between;
• conforming at least one surface of the first end member against at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the first vertebral element;
• conforming at least one surface of the second end member against at least one of the circumferential surface and the pedicle root portion of the second;
• vertebral element
• directing a first bone anchor through the at least one aperture in the first end member and into at least one of the pedicle root portion and the vertebral body of the first vertebral element;
• and
• directing a second bone anchor through the at least one aperture in the second end member and into at least one of the pedicle root portion and the vertebral body of the second vertebral element.