Patent ID: 8795341

Claim:
A method of using a bone plating system comprising: providing a plate having a plurality of bone screw receiving holes, a plurality of blocking elements coupled with the plate proximate the bone screw receiving holes, a plurality of bone screws, and a tool; positioning the plate proximate the spine during spinal surgery; positioning the bone screws within the bone screw receiving holes; positioning the tool proximate the plate between at least two of the plurality of blocking elements; and actuating the tool to cause the at least two blocking elements to rotate from a first unblocked position to a second blocked position such that the at least two blocking elements block the bone screws from completely backing out of the plate, wherein the at least two blocking elements being separate elements and are rotatable about separate pivot axis from the first unblocked position to the second blocked position, wherein actuating the tool simultaneously moves the at least two blocking elements.