Patent ID: 7909860
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A fixation system for securing a first vertebrae to a second vertebrae, the fixation system comprising: a bone plate with a central longitudinal axis, a first pair of fixation holes configured to be located adjacent the first vertebrae, a second pair of fixation holes configured to be located adjacent the second vertebrae; and a first aperture aligned along the central longitudinal axis, at least one of the first and second pair of fixation holes including a groove defined at a periphery of the at least one of the first and second pair of fixation holes, the first aperture disposed between the first pair of fixation holes and the second pair of fixation holes, the first aperture configured to be positioned over a disc space between the first vertebrae and the second vertebrae: wherein the first aperture allows for increased visualization of the disc space when the bone plate is adjacent to the first and second vertebrae; a resilient member disposed within the groove of the fixation hole, wherein the resilient member is separate and distinct from and operatively associated with the plate; and a bone screw including a head and a threaded shaft, the head comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and a perimetral groove disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion, the perimetral groove having a lower side wall and an end face wherein the lower side wall tapers inward from the lower portion toward the end face of the perimetral groove, the lower portion further including a convex surface extending between the threaded shaft and an annular ledge located at an edge of the lower side wall, wherein the resilient member is receivable within at least a portion of the perimetral groove and permits the bone screw to angulate relative to the resilient member when the bone screw is received within the at least one fixation hole.