# US 10,945,774 B2 · Orthopedic plating assembly for bone fixation and subsidence > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,774 B2 - Document ID: US10945774B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/398,914 - Filed: 2019-04-30 - Published: 2019-08-22 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-02 - Assignees: Global Medical Inc - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Sean Suh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945774B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8042: {the additional component being a cover over the screw head} - A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)} - A61B 17/80: Cortical plates {, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates} - A61B 17/8033: {having indirect contact with screw heads, or having contact with screw heads maintained with the aid of additional components, e.g. nuts, wedges or head covers} - A61B 17/8047: {wherein the additional element surrounds the screw head in the plate hole (A61B17/8052 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Orthopedic plating assemblies and methods for bone fixation that include an orthopedic plate and orthopedic anchors that can accommodate subsidence in the vertebral bodies as well as prevent the anchors from “backing out” of their installed position. The orthopedic anchors may be capable of rotating and translating with respect to the plate, and the plate may be able to translate after being fastened to the vertebral bodies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of installing an orthopedic plating system for bone fixation, said method comprising: placing an orthopedic plate at or near an area of treatment, the orthopedic plate having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to receive an orthopedic anchor, wherein the orthopedic plating system comprises: the orthopedic plate; a first blocking member and a second blocking member, wherein the second blocking member rests above an uppermost surface of the orthopedic plate; a first orthopedic anchor configured to be positioned through the at least one opening, wherein, when in a blocking position, the first blocking member and the second blocking member cooperate to prevent the first orthopedic anchor from uninstalling from the orthopedic plate such that the first orthopedic anchor is bounded by a sidewall of the first blocking member and a bottom surface of the second blocking member; at least one carriage plate having at least one opening for receiving a second orthopedic anchor, and wherein the carriage plate is slidably received in the orthopedic plate such that the carriage plate can slide with respect to the orthopedic plate, wherein the orthopedic anchor is configured to pivot and laterally translate with respect to the orthopedic plate when installed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first blocking member includes a cut-out portion, the first blocking member being rotatable from a non-blocking position to the blocking position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein in the non-blocking position the cut-out portion is configured to face the first orthopedic anchor and in the blocking position, the cut-out portion is configured to face away from the first orthopedic anchor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is elongated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first blocking member is distinct from the second blocking member, and wherein the second blocking member is elongated in length compared to the first blocking member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first orthopedic anchor is capable of laterally translating with respect to the orthopedic plate when installed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one carriage plate is captured in a slot of the orthopedic plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one carriage plate has at least one blocking member having a blocking position and a non-blocking position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first blocking member includes an enlarged head portion and a cutout portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second blocking member is removably connected to the orthopedic plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first orthopedic anchor has a head portion, a shank portion and threads that surround at least a portion of the shank portion, and wherein the head portion is in part spherical and includes an opening for receiving an instrument capable of engaging and driving the first orthopedic anchor into bone tissue. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening includes first and second openings, the first opening having a first orthopedic anchor positioned therein, and the second opening having a second orthopedic anchor positioned therein, wherein the second blocking member is a plate configured to block both the first and second orthopedic anchors. ### Claim 13 A method of installing an orthopedic plating system for bone fixation, said method comprising: placing an orthopedic plate at or near an area of treatment, the orthopedic plate assembly comprising: the orthopedic plate which further comprises at least one opening configured and dimensioned to receive an orthopedic anchor; a first blocking member and a second blocking member, wherein the second blocking member rests above an uppermost surface of the orthopedic plate; and a first orthopedic anchor having a head portion, the first orthopedic anchor configured to extend through the at least one opening, wherein when in a blocking position, a sidewall of the first blocking member contacts a sidewall of the head portion of the first orthopedic anchor and a bottom surface of the second blocking member contacts a top portion of the head portion of the first orthopedic anchor, at least one carriage plate, the at least one carriage plate having at least one opening for receiving a second orthopedic anchor, wherein the carriage plate is slidably received in the orthopedic plate such that the carriage plate can slide with respect to the orthopedic plate, installing the first orthopedic anchor into the at least one opening and fixating into or near the area of treatment; and installing the second orthopedic anchor into the orthopedic plate and fixating into or near the area of treatment, wherein the at least one opening is elongated to allow for lateral translation of the first orthopedic anchor or second orthopedic anchor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first blocking member is distinct from the second blocking member, and wherein the second blocking member is elongated in length compared to the first blocking member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the orthopedic plate has at least one slot and wherein the at least one carriage plate is slidably received in the slot of the orthopedic plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one carriage plate is captured in the slot of the orthopedic plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one carriage plate has at least one blocking member having a blocking position and a non-blocking position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one opening includes a first opening configured to receive the first orthopedic anchor and a second opening configured to receive a third orthopedic anchor, wherein the second blocking member is a plate configured to block both the first and third orthopedic anchors.