# US 11,026,726 B2 · Minimal-profile anterior cervical plate and cage apparatus and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,726 B2 - Document ID: US11026726B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/132,800 - Filed: 2018-09-17 - Published: 2019-01-17 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-29 - Assignees: K2M, Inc. - Applicants: K2M, Inc. - Inventors: Paul E. Kraemer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026726B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)} - A61B 17/88: {Osteosynthesis instruments;} Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal {or external} fixation devices {(A61B17/7074 takes precedence)} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61B 2017/00261: {Discectomy} - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit} - A61F 2002/30383: {made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove} - A61F 2002/30578: {having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for fusing cervical vertebrae is provided. The apparatus may include a plate configured to be affixed to at least two vertebrae, and at least two screws configured to affix the plate to an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae, wherein when the plate is affixed to the at least two vertebrae, the plate is configured to be partially disposed in a disc space between the at least two vertebrae, and extend in an anterior direction beyond an anterior surface of the at least two vertebrae. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of surgery comprising: preparing a space between adjacent vertebral bodies; placing a body in the space, the body being made of PEEK; and affixing a plate, which is separate from the body, to the adjacent vertebral bodies such that a posterior portion of the plate is disposed within the space, and an anterior portion of the plate engages anterior portions of the adjacent vertebral bodies, the plate being made of a metal material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein preparing the space includes defining a channel including a posterior part and an anterior part, wherein a cephalo-caudal height of the anterior part is greater than a cephalo-caudal height of the posterior part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein affixing the plate includes affixing the plate such that a first cephalo-caudal end of the anterior portion of the plate is disposed at least approximately 5 mm from a disc adjacent the first cephalocaudal end in a cephalo-caudal direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein placing the body in the space includes placing a graft in the space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein placing the body includes placing at least a portion of the body approximately 11 mm to approximately 14 mm away from anterior surfaces of the adjacent vertebral bodies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein affixing the plate includes affixing a plate having a posterior portion having a cephalo-caudal height of about 6 to 8 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein affixing the plate includes inserting a screw through the plate at an acute angle with respect to an anterior surface of the plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein affixing the plate includes inserting screws through respective bores defined in the plate such that the screws are received in a first vertebral body of the adjacent vertebral bodies. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the anterior portion of the plate is separate from and connectable to the posterior portion of the plate, the anterior portion of the plate defines recesses and the posterior portion of the plate includes anterior protrusions configured to be received in the recesses of the anterior portion and a posterior protrusion configured to extend into a recess of the body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the anterior protrusions are hollow and configured to receive screws to affix the plate to the adjacent vertebral bodies. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the affixing step includes abutting an anterior end of the body with the posterior portion of the plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the body and the plate via a threaded member. ### Claim 13 A method of surgery comprising: preparing a space between adjacent vertebral bodies; placing an implant body of a first material into the space, the first material being PEEK; engaging a plate of a second material to the vertebral bodies so that a first portion of the plate contacts outer surfaces of the vertebral bodies and a second portion of the plate is positioned within the space adjacent to the implant body, the second material being a metal material; and inserting bone screws through the first portion of the plate and into the vertebral bodies to secure the plate thereto. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the placing and engaging steps are performed sequentially. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the body is a cage filled with allograft bone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising cutting the vertebral bodies within the disc space in order to form a channel within the disc space for receipt of the second portion of the plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first material is a metal material, and the second material is a polymer material.