Patent ID: 6398783
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A plate adapted for use in the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspect of at least two cervical vertebral bodies, said plate comprising:a lower surface being concave along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plate and adapted to contact the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface; at least two bone screw receiving holes extending through said plate from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes being adapted to receive a bone screw for engaging said plate to the cervical spine; and a locking element for locking at least two bone screws inserted in said at least two bone screw receiving holes, respectively, said locking element adapted to be coupled to said plate prior to the insertion of the bone screws into the bone screw receiving holes, said locking element being moveable from an initial position that permits the insertion of at least one bone screw into said bone screw receiving holes to a final position that is adapted to retain at least two bone screws to said plate.