Patent ID: 8709054
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for establishing and securing adjacent vertebrae in a defined spatial relationship, the system comprising: at least one implantable vertebral frame configured to span between the adjacent vertebrae, the frame being configured to attach to each of the adjacent vertebra to postoperatively maintain the desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae, the frame having at least one internal operating aperture there-through for providing access to an intervertebral space and exposing endplate tissue of the adjacent vertebrae, the aperture having a width of about 15 mm in a direction substantially parallel to the endplate tissue when the vertebral frame is implanted on the adjacent vertebrae, the aperture being elongated such that the width is larger than a height of the aperture, the height being transverse to the width; at least one retention member attachable to the frame to cover at least a portion of the aperture, the at least one retention member having a locking portion rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking portion preventing the at least one retention member from being separated from the frame when in the locked position, wherein the locking portion comprises a rotatable member and at least one elongated arm that extends radially outward from the rotatable member and is configured to contact a posterior side of the frame when the elongated arm is rotated into the locked position, and wherein the elongated arm is configured to disengage from the posterior side of the frame when rotated into the unlocked position; and two detent features located on a posterior side of the retention member, one of the two detent features serving to releasably hold the locking portion in the locked position and the other of the two detent features serving to releasably hold the locking portion in the unlocked position.