Patent ID: 7442209

Claim:
An orthopedic implant for use in human body, said implant comprising: a leading portion adapted to be placed toward and in contact with a bone of the human body; a trailing portion opposite said leading portion, said trailing portion having an exterior surface and an outer perimeter with an upper edge and a lower edge, said trailing portion having a maximum height as measured from said upper edge to said lower edge; and at least first and second bone screw receiving holes, said first bone screw receiving hole having an entrance and an exit proximate said upper edge of said outer perimeter, said entrance of said first bone screw receiving hole having a single gap therein for permitting a portion of a trailing end of a bone screw to protrude over said upper edge of the outer perimeter of said trailing portion within a plane of said trailing portion, said second bone screw receiving hole having an entrance and an exit proximate said lower edge of said outer perimeter, said entrance of said second bone screw receiving hole having a single gap therein for permitting a portion of a trailing end of another bone screw to protrude over said lower edge of the outer perimeter of said trailing portion within a plane of said trailing portion, each of said gaps being sufficient to retain the trailing end of the respective bone screw.