A fixation device to immobilize a spinal motion segment and promote posterior fusion, used as stand-alone
instrumentation or as an adjunct to an
anterior approach. The device functions as a multi-
level fusion system including modular single-level implementations. At a single-level the
implant includes a pair of plates spanning two adjacent vertebrae with embedding teeth on the medially oriented surfaces directed into the spinous processes or laminae. The complementary plates at a single-level are connected via a cross-post with a hemi-spherical base and cylindrical shaft passed through the interspinous process gap and ratcheted into an expandable collar. The expandable collar's spherical profile contained within the opposing plate allows for the ratcheting mechanism to be correctly engaged creating a uni-directional lock securing the
implant to the spine when a medially directed force is applied to both complementary plates using a specially designed compression tool. The freedom of rotational motion of both the cross-post and collar enables the complementary plates to be connected at a range of angles in the axial and coronal planes accommodating varying morphologies of the posterior elements in the cervical, thoracic and
lumbar spine. To achieve multi-
level fusion the single-level implementation can be connected in series using an
interlocking mechanism fixed by a set-screw.