Patent ID: 7691133

Claim:
A fixation system for fixating bone, the fixation system comprising: (a) a planar fixation device having a planar surface and defining at least one opening therethrough, the opening having side walls defining an at least generally cylindrical shape; and (b) a laterally-fixed fixation apparatus comprising: (i) an at least generally cylindrical shaped head portion comprising plurality of outer wall sections at least partially surrounding a central hollow area with the outer wall sections having inner sides facing the central hollow area, the head portion having an inner bottom planar surface below the central hollow area and a top end with the inner sides of the outer wall sections tapered inwardly toward the central hollow area from the inner bottom surface to the top end; (ii) an expander hub adapted for positioning at least partially within the central hollow area and seated at least partially on the inner bottom planar surface of the cylindrical head portion, the expander hub being rotatable to force at least one or more of the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly; and (iii) wherein the fixation apparatus is adapted to be positioned at least partially in the opening of the planar fixation device where the expander hub of the fixation apparatus is rotatable to force at least one or more of the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly against a portion of the side walls of the opening to lock the fixation apparatus in a desired position in the opening and further wherein the fixation apparatus is adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the fixation apparatus without lateral toggle movement relative to the planar surface of the planar fixation device while the fixation apparatus is positioned at least partially in the opening.