Patent ID: 8328854

Claim:
A dynamic spinal plate adapted to stabilize adjacent vertebrae comprising an elongated shaft with a proximal surface and a distal surface, said elongated shaft having a first bar near one end adapted for connection with a vertebra, said shaft having an opposite end, at least a second bar movably attached near said opposite end, said first and second bars each having a screw hole, a screw head, wherein said screw hole adopted to seat said screw head, a first resilient spring clip attached to said second bar, wherein said elongated shaft has transverse teeth formed in said distal surface along length thereof, said first resilient spring clip having a pawl portion seated between adjacent said transverse teeth and securing said second bar along the length of said elongated shaft thereby maintaining space between said first bar and said second bar, said first resilient spring clip having a retainer spanning said screw hole, said retainer including a wedge element, said wedge element having a camming and locking surface, said screw head having camming and locking surfaces located about the circumference of the screw head, whereby the first resilient spring clip will flex so as to allow the screw head to seat on said screw hole and upon seating of the screw head the first resilient spring clip will release on top of the screw head, and, cooperation of wedge element and said camming and locking surfaces on said screw head provides a ratcheting relationship between the wedge element and the screw head in one rotational direction and a locking relationship in a counter rotational direction.