Patent ID: 8574271
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A screw fixation system, comprising: a plate having opposed first and second surfaces, and a hole defined in the plate which extends between the first and second surfaces; a screw having a head and a shaft extending from the head and defining a longitudinal axis for the screw, the shaft of the screw being configured and adapted to be inserted into the hole; and a retainer circumferentially positioned around the shaft of the screw and proximate to the screw head, the retainer being configured to engage with the plate proximate the hole when the shaft of the screw has been inserted into the hole so as to resist removal of the screw from the hole, the retainer including an upper rim surface that is angled obliquely relative to the shaft of the screw, wherein the upper rim surface of the retainer and the hole of the plate are configured so that camming action between the upper rim surface and the plate contract the retainer to allow removal of the screw from the hole when a preset torque is applied to the screw and wherein the shaft of the screw includes a circumferential channel and the retainer is captive in the channel.