Percutaneous spinal implants and methods

An apparatus, comprising:

• a support member having a length extending along a longitudinal axis, the support member configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes;
• wherein, when the support member is disposed between the adjacent spinous process, the longitudinal axis extends generally transverse to a sagittal plane defined by the spinous processes;
• a proximal retention member having a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a first hinge having a first hinge pivot axis, the first hinge configured to pivotally couple the first elongate member and the second elongate member along the first hinge pivot axis such that the first elongate member is pivotable relative to the second elongate member, the first hinge further configured to move in a direction normal to the first hinge pivot axis, the proximal retention member having a first configuration in which the proximal retention member is substantially disposed within a proximal portion of the support member and a second configuration in which a portion of the first elongate member extends through a first opening defined by the support member and a portion of the second elongate member extends through a second opening defined by the support member;
• wherein the first opening extends through a first side of the support member and the second opening extends through a second side of the support member, the first side being opposite from the second side;
• a distal retention member having a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a second hinge having a second hinge pivot axis, the second hinge configured to pivotally couple the first elongate member of the distal retention member and the second elongate member of the distal retention member along the second hinge pivot axis of the second hinge such that the first elongate member of the distal retention member is pivotable relative to the second elongate member of the distal retention member, the second hinge of the distal retention member further configured to move in a direction normal to the second hinge pivot axis, the distal retention member having a first configuration in which the distal retention member is substantially disposed within a distal portion of the support member and a second configuration in which a portion of the first elongate member of the distal retention member extends through a third opening defined by the support member and a portion of the second elongate member of the distal retention member extends through a fourth opening defined by the support member;
• wherein the third opening extends through the first side of the support member and the fourth opening extends through the second side of the support member;
• wherein the first and second hinge pivot axes are spaced apart;
• wherein the length of the support member remains constant when the proximal and distal retention members move between their respective first and second configurations.