Patent ID: 7479143

Claim:
A fixation system having a longitudinal axis, the fixation system comprising: a first carriage element capable of receiving one or more bone fasteners, the first carriage element having a first channel with at least one securing element disposed therein, and a second channel with at least one securing element disposed therein, wherein the first channel and second channel are formed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis; a second carriage element capable of receiving one or more bone fasteners, the second carriage element having a third channel with at least one securing element disposed therein and a fourth channel with at least one securing element disposed therein wherein the third channel and fourth channel are formed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis; and a first plate having a body portion, a first arm a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm wherein the first arm and third arm extend substantially transverse from the body portion on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm and the fourth arm extend substantially transverse from the body portion on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis and wherein the first arm has a first engaging portion having a series of ridges configured to engage the at least one securing element of the first channel, the second arm has a second engaging portion having a series of ridges configured to engage the at least one securing element of the second channel, the third arm has a third engaging portion having a series of ridges configured to engage the at least one securing element of the third channel and the fourth arm has a fourth engaging portion having a series of ridges configured to engage the at least one securing element of the fourth channel; wherein each of the securing elements includes an engaging clip that comprises two arcuate prongs and a retaining element wherein at least a portion of the arcuate prongs engage a groove formed in the respective channel; and wherein the first and second carriage elements are configured to axially translate in only one direction relative to the first plate.