Patent ID: 9480510
Filing Date: 2016-11-01
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A system for fixation to a spinal column, said system comprising: a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis normal to said longitudinal axis and a through hole passing through said anterior and posterior surfaces, said through hole shaped as an oblong circle in said anterior surface of said plate, the oblong circle having a major diameter oriented along the longitudinal axis of said plate, and having opposing sides parallel to one another; a dynamic fixator interface member configured and dimensioned to connect to said plate within said through hole and to axially slide in translation relative to said plate in a direction along said longitudinal axis, and additionally, to rotate relative to said plate in directions about said transverse axis; wherein said dynamic fixator interface member comprises a ring-shaped body having a gap in its perimeter, thereby allowing said ring-shaped body to be compressed for insertion into said through hole, as well as to be expanded to lock flat sides of said ring-shaped body against said opposing walls of said through hole to prevent rotation of said dynamic fixator interface member relative to said plate; a variable fastener having a head configured to be received in an opening of said ring-shaped body such that, after receiving said head of said variable fastener, said ring-shaped body resumes an original, unexpanded configuration and can rotate relative to said plate; and a fixed fastener having a head configured to be received in said opening of said ring-shaped body such that, after receiving said head of said fixed fastener, said ring-shaped body is expanded to contact said flat sides against said opposing sides of said through hole, thereby preventing rotation of said dynamic fixator interface member relative to said plate.