Patent ID: 6936051
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A plate system adapted for application to the anterior human cervical spine and for contacting at least a portion of the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies, said plate system comprising: a plate having a longitudinal axis and a length sufficient to span a disc space and overlap portions of at least two adjacent cervical vertebral bodies, said plate having a lower surface for placement against the vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave along a substantial portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate; 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 having a central longitudinal axis and being adapted to receive a bone screw to attach for engaging said plate to the cervical spine; and a lock adapted to overlie at least a portion of said at least two bone screw receiving holes, said lock having an elongated segment having a width, a length longer than said width, and a surface adapted to bear against said plate, said lock being adapted to engage said plate and being adapted to retain at least two bone screws to said plate when said length of said elongated segment is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said plate.