Patent ID: 8419777
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bone plating system comprising: a plate comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and first and second bone screw receiving holes defined in the plate and extending between the upper surface and the lower surface; first and second bone screws each comprising a shaft portion configured to be anchored in bone and a head portion, the head portions of the first and second bone screws being receivable within the first and second bone screw receiving holes such that at least part of the head portion of each of the first and second bone screws is configured to be recessed below the upper surface of the plate; first and second blocking elements coupled to the plate proximate the first and second bone screw receiving holes respectively, the blocking elements being positioned over the upper surface such that the blocking elements are rotatable between a first unblocked position and a second blocked position; and a tool comprising an actuation portion having a perimeter surface and a first cross-sectional length dimension greater than a second cross-sectional width dimension, wherein the actuation portion of the tool is configured to be positioned between the first and second blocking elements when the blocking elements are in the first unblocked position, the width dimension of the actuation portion being less than a distance between the first and second blocking elements, such that during rotation of the actuation portion the perimeter surface contacts the blocking elements to rotate the first and second blocking elements from the first unblocked position to the second blocked position, the length dimension of the actuation portion being greater than a distance between the blocking elements in the first unblocked position; wherein each blocking element is configured to contact and cooperate with the tool to rotate the blocking elements from the first unblocked position to the second blocked position, wherein the blocking elements in the first unblocked position do not extend over the corresponding bone screw receiving holes and the blocking elements in the second blocking position extend over at least a portion of the corresponding bone screw receiving holes, and the blocking elements remain fixed in the second blocked position at least in part by friction between the blocking elements and the plate.