Patent ID: 7998179

Claim:
A spinal plating system, comprising: a unitary plate body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end, said plate body having a length along said longitudinal axis sized to extend between at least a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spinal column, wherein said plate body includes: a first vertebral engaging portion with at least one hole extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of said plate body, said at least one hole for receiving a first anchor to secure said first vertebral engaging portion to the first vertebra; a second vertebral engaging portion with at least one hole extending between said upper and lower surfaces of said plate body, said at least one hole for receiving a second anchor to secure said second vertebral engaging portion to the second vertebra; first and second intermediate portions extending between said first and second vertebral engaging portions along opposite sides of said plate body, said first and second intermediate portions and said first and second vertebral engaging portions defining a window therebetween, wherein said first and second intermediate portions are sized and structured to flex outwardly away from said longitudinal axis and permit said first and second vertebral engaging portions to move toward one another along said longitudinal axis in response to compression loading of said plate body along said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and second intermediate portions have a convex arcuate shape in relation to said longitudinal axis; and a guide assembly in said window along said longitudinal axis extending between and engaged to said first and second vertebral engaging portions, said guide assembly including a guide member movably received in a receptacle as said first and second vertebral engaging portions move toward one another, wherein said guide assembly includes a temporary locking mechanism configured to temporarily secure said guide member in a respective position in said receptacle as said first and second vertebral engaging portions move toward one another while inhibiting said first and second vertebral engaging portions from moving away from one another.