Patent ID: 7608096

Claim:
A method comprising: providing first and second sets of at least one plate member each having a curvature, a first slot, a second slot and a sloped surface within said second slot, said surface sloping in a longitudinal direction, and wherein each plate member in said first set has a first end portion and a middle portion, and said second slot has a first end adjacent said first end portion and a second end adjacent said middle portion, and wherein said surface slopes generally downward as it runs toward said second end of said slot, and wherein each plate member in said second set has a first end portion and a middle portion, and said second slot has a first end adjacent said first end portion and a second end adjacent said middle portion, and wherein said surface slopes generally upward as it runs toward said second end of said slot; selecting a plate member from one of said first and second sets; engaging a first anchoring member to a first vertebra; inserting said selected plate member into a patient proximate to first and second vertebrae to which said plate member is intended to be attached; placing said first slot over the first anchoring member engaged to the first vertebra; placing a second anchoring member through said second slot and into a second vertebra; and tightening the second anchoring member against said sloped surface so that said selected plate member moves with respect to said second anchoring member.