Patent ID: 7309340

Claim:
A bone plating system comprising: a bone plate having a top portion, a bottom portion, and an interior middle portion extending therebetween, the interior middle portion bounding a fastener-retaining passageway extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the fastener-retaining passageway comprising: an upper portion having an inwardly projecting capture lip formed thereat, the capture lip having a first diameter; a lower undercut portion with a cross sectional shape perpendicular to an axis of the passageway, the cross sectional shape having a second diameter at a circular periphery thereof that is larger than the first diameter; and at least one access channel extending through the capture lip, said at least one access channel intersecting a circular periphery of the capture lip so as to communicate with the lower portion; and a fastener comprising: a shaft; a fastener engager extending from, disposed on or coupled with the shaft for engaging bone; and a head mounted on the shaft, the head having a radially elastic member.