Patent ID: 6712818
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for connecting at least two vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space from an anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies, said method comprising the steps of:providing a plate having a length sufficient to contact the two adjacent vertebral bodies across the disc space and having a plurality of bone screw receiving holes; positioning the plate against at least a portion of the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies to align at least one of the bone screw receiving holes with a respective one of the adjacent vertebral bodies; attaching the plate to a first of the adjacent vertebral bodies with at least one bone screw adapted to be inserted into a vertebral body through a respective one of the bone screw receiving holes; compressing the disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies; and attaching the plate to the second of the two adjacent vertebral bodies with at least one bone screw adapted to be inserted into a vertebral body through a respective one of the bone screw receiving holes.