Patent ID: 7354441

Claim:
A bone fixation system comprising: a bone plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one combination hole extending through the upper surface and the lower surface, the at least one combination hole including: a first portion having a substantially circular outer periphery defining a first center point, and a plurality of threads disposed on the outer periphery, the plurality of threads extending over an angle of greater than 180Â° with respect to the first center point; and a second portion overlapping the first portion and having an unthreaded elongated outer periphery defining a second center point; wherein the first center point is spaced apart from the second center point along the upper surface; and a bone screw having a threaded head for engaging the first portion, wherein the plurality of threads on the first portion of the hole are configured and dimensioned to enclose and engage the threaded screw head over an angular range greater than 180Â° to prevent the screw from shifting laterally toward the second portion of the hole.