Patent ID: 6454771
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A plate adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:a longitudinal axis, a lower surface being concave along a substantial portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate and adapted to contact the cervical vertebral bodies, and an upper surface opposite said lower surface; at least three bone screw receiving holes extending through said plate from said upper surface through said lower surface. each of said bone screw receiving holes having a central longitudinal axis and a radius, each of said bone screw receiving holes being adapted to receive a screw for engaging said plate to the cervical spine; and a locking element recess adapted to receive a locking element for locking screws to said plate, said locking element recess having a central longitudinal axis and a radius, at least three of said bone screw receiving holes being positioned proximate said locking element recess so that a distance between the central longitudinal axis of said locking element recess and the central longitudinal axis of each of said bone screw receiving holes is less than the sum of the radii of said locking element recess and each of said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.