Patent ID: 8388662
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A plating apparatus for the spine, comprising: a plate having a generally triangular shape and having an upper node positionable adjacent an L5 vertebra and a pair of lower nodes positionable adjacent an S1 vertebra, said plate including a posterior face positionable toward the L5 and S1 vertebrae and an opposite anterior face; an upper hole in the plate at the upper node to receive a screw for passage into the L5 vertebra, said upper hole extending through said plate along an axis that orients the screw for passage into the L5 vertebra at a substantial angle relative to a direction perpendicular to said anterior face of said plate and away from said pair of lower nodes when extending from said posterior face; and a first lower hole in the plate formed through one of the lower nodes to receive a screw for passage into the S1 vertebra and a second lower hole in the plate through the other of the lower nodes to receive a screw for passage into the S1 vertebra, said first and second lower holes extending through said plate with a configuration orienting the screws for passage into the S1 vertebra at a substantially perpendicular orientation to said anterior face, wherein said plate has a central hole located between said upper node and said pair of lower nodes and said plate includes a retaining element attachable to said central hole, wherein: