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US 2003/0191471 A1Published application
Multilock anterior cervical plating system
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorGary K. Michelson
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorGary K. Michelson
Estimating the term…
Anatomically contoured anterior cervical plates with bone ingrowth surfaces, providing for intersegmental compressive preloading, and a rigid and locked interface to all of the bone screws, with those engaging the vertebrae deployed in highly convergent pairs. The bone screws have a tapered self-tapping leading end, an increasing root diameter with a generally constant outer diameter with a thread that is narrow and sharp throughout and an enlarged head portion capable of an interference fit to the receiving holes of the plate. Instrumentation consists of plate holders, a compression apparatus and a pilot hole forming device that interlocks with the plate. Methods for spinal compression and bone hole preparation are provided.
A plate system adapted for application to the anterior human cervical spine and for contacting at least a portion of the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies, said plate system comprising:
A plate system adapted for application to the anterior human cervical spine and for contacting at least a portion of the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies, said plate system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant: plates mounted on top of bone anchor heads or shoulders
Instruments for performing osteoclasis; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans: chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
Specially adapted for particular parts of the body: for the spine
Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant: cortical plates
Term end not estimated
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/386,275, filed Mar. 11, 2003; which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/618,036, filed Jul. 17, 2000; which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/022,293, filed Feb. 11, 1998; and claims priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/037,139, filed Feb. 11, 1997; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. 09/022,344, filed Feb. 11, 1998, and titled SKELETAL PLATING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,550, is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to implants, method, and instrumentation for fusion of the human cervical spine from the anterior aspect, and in particular to plate systems for aligning and maintaining adjacent cervical vertebrae in a selected spatial relationship during spinal fusion of those vertebrae.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a cervical spine multiple locking plate.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cervical spine multiple locking plate shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the cervical spine multiple locking plate shown in FIG. 1.
The present invention will be described first in association with the preferred embodiment of the plate system in which a plurality of bone screws are locked in place with one locking element. This is referred to as the multiple locking plate system. The multiple locking plates will be described, then the locking elements for locking the bone screws to the plate, then the bone screws associated with the multiple locking plates, and finally the instrumentation and method of installation of the multiple locking plates. Thereafter the plate systems in which a single locking element locks a single bone screw will be described. This is referred to as the single locking plate system. The locking elements, bone screws, instrumentation, and method of installation associated with the single locking plate will then be discussed.
1. Multiple Locking Plate System
The preferred embodiment of the multiple locking anterior cervical locking plate 2 according to the present invention (here shown by way of example for use in a two level fusion (three adjacent vertebrae)) is shown in FIGS. 1-5. Plate 2 has a generally elongated form whose outline generally departs from rectangular due to the presence of lobes or lateral projections 4 at the corners and at the center of the sides of plate 2. Each lobe 4 has a rounded outline and contains a respective circular bone screw receiving hole 6. Two additional intermediate circular bone screw receiving holes 8 are located inwardly of the sides of plate 2 and are centered on the longitudinal center line of plate 2. Lobes 4 give plate 2 additional strength in the region surrounding each bone screw receiving hole 6. It is recognized that other shapes for the plate 2 may be employed.