Patent ID: 8623062

Claim:
A system adapted to be implanted in a patient to stabilize a spinal column of the patient comprising: a single-member anchoring plate having an anatomically pre-contoured shape conformal with one of a left or a right lamina of the spinous process of a targeted vertebra of the spinal column, the anchoring plate including: a first threaded hole to receive a first screw having a shank and a head, the first threaded hole adapted to direct the first screw into a spinous process associated with the targeted vertebra and restrict orientation of the shank to a first angle and/or range of angles relative to the sagittal plane while the first screw is advanced along the first threaded hole; a second threaded hole to receive a second screw having a shank and a head, the second threaded hole adapted to direct the second screw into a facet joint associated with the targeted vertebra and restrict orientation of the shank to a second angle and/or range of angles relative to the sagittal plane while the second screw is advanced along the second threaded hole; a third threaded hole to receive a third screw having a shank and a head, the third threaded hole adapted to direct the third screw into a pedicle associated with the targeted vertebra and restrict orientation of the shank to a third angle and/or range of angles relative to the sagittal plane while the third screw is advanced along the third threaded hole; a mounting point including a fourth hole adapted to receive a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket adapted to receive and secure a rod, and wherein the first, second and third threaded holes have a non-linear orientation, the non-linear orientation of the threaded holes allows the screws positioned in the first, second and third threaded holes to splay outwardly; wherein when the first, second, and third screws are received and seated within corresponding screw holes the angle of orientation of the shanks of the first, second, and third screws relative to the sagittal plane vary and/or the range of angles of orientation of the shanks of the first, second, and third screws relative to the sagittal plane do not overlap; and wherein when the first, second, and third screws are received and seated within corresponding screw holes the shanks of the first, second, and third screws engage at least two different structures of the targeted vertebra.