Patent ID: 8348980

Claim:
A method for joining together a first, a second and a third bone part of a surgical patient, wherein the first, second and third bone parts are approximately aligned linearly and the second bone part is positioned between and adjacent to the first and third bone parts, the method comprising: a) obtaining a bone plate system comprising: an elongated bone plate defining a longitudinal axis and having a first portion containing a first slot therethrough with a first centerline axis, a second portion containing a second slot therethrough with a second centerline axis, and a third portion containing a first threaded hole therethrough, wherein the first and second centerline axes are approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first, second and third portions are simultaneously positionable over the first, second and third bone parts; a first compressing screw having a threaded shank for passage through the first slot and engagement into the first bone part, the first compressing screw having a screw head that forcefully interacts with the first slot upon insertion until fully seated in the first slot, such that the screw head is urged in one direction along the first centerline axis of the first slot, thereby urging the first bone part towards the second and the third bone parts; a second compressing screw having a threaded shank for passage through the second slot and engagement into the second bone part, the second compressing screw having a screw head that forcefully interacts with the second slot upon insertion until fully seated in the second slot, such that the screw head is urged in one direction along the second centerline axis of the second slot, thereby urging the second bone part towards the third bone part; and a first locking screw having a threaded shank for passage through the first threaded hole and engagement into the third bone part, the first locking screw having a threaded head for locking into the first threaded hole, thereby fixing the third portion to the third bone part; b) positioning the bone plate onto the first, second and third bone parts, such that the first, second and third portions are simultaneously positioned over the first, second and third bone parts; c) inserting the first locking screw into the first threaded hole and into the third bone part prior to inserting the first and second compressing screws, thereby fixing the third portion of the bone plate to the third bone part; d) inserting the second compressing screw into the second slot and into the second bone part, thereby urging the second bone part towards the third bone part; and e) inserting the first compressing screw into the first slot and into the first bone part, thereby urging the first bone part towards the second and third bone parts.