A spinal spacer or stenotic device is expandable, inflated and/or filled
in situ or ex vivo through the addition of a biocompatible fill material
into the spinal implant once inserted or implanted in like manner to an
angioplasty bag. Once implanted, expansion or inflation of the present
expandable spinal spacer distracts the spine (creates spacing). The
present expandable spinal spacer can operate as an interspinous,
interspinous process, or intralaminar spinal spacer. In general the
present expandable spinal space creates and/or maintains spacing between
vertebrae or components of vertebrae. The present expandable spinal
spacer is formed of a generally pliable biocompatible material that is
collapsible and expandable/fillable. Preferably, but not necessarily, the
biocompatible material is a mesh or weave type material, although other
materials may be used.