Patent ID: 8012188

Claim:
A spinal plating system, comprising: an elongate plate member including at least one opening extending therethrough between an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said lower surface being positionable along the spinal column; an anchor assembly engageable to said elongate plate member, said anchor assembly including: a coupling member having a post positionable through said at least one opening and a receiver portion positionable along said lower surface of said plate, said receiver portion including a receptacle, wherein said post includes a mounting portion adjacent said receiver portion and a removable extension portion extending proximally from said mounting portion, said post further defining a passage extending from a proximal end thereof to said receptacle; an anchor member including a head pivotally captured in said receptacle of said receiver portion and a lower portion extending from said head for engaging a bony structure of the spinal column; a crown captured in said receptacle of said receiver portion, wherein said crown extends outwardly from said receiver portion; and a locking member engageable to said mounting portion of said post in contact with said upper surface of said plate member to secure said plate member around said mounting portion of said post with said plate in direct contact with said crown extending from said receiver portion.