Patent ID: 7641675

Claim:
A spinal plating system, comprising: a 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 the 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 an 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 an 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 that opens at said upper and lower surfaces of said plate body, wherein said first and second intermediate portions are structured to flex 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 each of said first and second intermediate portions is structured to deform laterally 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 late body along 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.