Polyaxial device for spine stabilization during osteosynthesis

An orthopedic fixation device comprising:

• a plate defining a length, the plate including first and second receiver portions linked by a bridge portion, the first receiver portion defining a first opening that is elongated in a direction that extends along the length of the plate and the second receiver portion defining a second opening that is elongated in a direction that extends along the length of the plate, the first and the second openings also extending through the plate from a bottom side of the plate to a top side of the plate;
• the bottom side of the plate including first and second tracks that extend respectively along the first and second openings;
• and
• cup-shaped washers mounted to slide along the tracks.

A method of fixing the spine comprising the steps of:

• securing an anchor to the spine;
• positioning an elongated plate in a direction generally parallel to the spine;
• sliding at least one washer relative to the plate in a direction generally parallel to the spine;
• and
• securing the plate to the spine by inserting a fastening portion of the anchor through the washer and the plate.

An orthopedic fixation device comprising:

• a plate defining a fastener opening including a length, the plate connecting at least two bone anchors;
• a fastener adapted to clamp each anchor to the plate;
• and
• at least one cup-shaped washer linearly slidably coupled to the plate, slidable along the length of the fastener opening, coupled in such a way that the washer and the plate include an infinite number of points of linear adjustment relative to each other along the entire length of the fastener opening, wherein each anchor includes a generally spherical head shaped to fit inside the cup-shaped washer, the head allowing for polyaxial freedom of movement;
• wherein each anchor includes a polyaxial freedom of movement relative to the fastener prior to being clamped to the plate.

An orthopedic fixation system comprising:

• at least two orthopedic fixation devices, each orthopedic fixation device including:
• an elongated plate including at least one fastener opening
• at least two cup-shaped washers mounted to the plate;
• and
• an anchor mounted to each washer;
• wherein each cup-shaped washer slides on a track that extends along each fastener opening and wherein each cup-shaped washer includes a top flange that is captured within the track that allows it to slide, and
• a transverse connector for interconnecting two elongated plates.

An orthopedic fixation system comprising at least two orthopedic fixation devices and at least one connector for interconnecting the two orthopedic fixation devices, each of said connector and each of said orthopedic fixation device comprising

• an elongated member having a first end and a second end, a first fastener opening at said first end of said elongated member, a second fastener opening at said second end of said elongated member, said elongated member defining at least one elongated track extending along at least one of the fastener openings;
• at least two cup-shaped washers wherein at least one of said cup-shaped washer is configured to slide along said elongated track;
• and
• anchors including fastening portions that extend through said washers and said first and second fastener openings.

A method for fixing the spine comprising securing an orthopedic fixation device to lateral portions of two adjacent vertebrae, the device comprising

• an elongated plate including at least two fastener openings;
• at least two cup-shaped washers;
• anchors including fastening portions that extend through the washers and the fastener openings;
• the plate defining at least one elongated track that extends along at least one of the fastener openings;
• and
• at least one of the cup-shaped washers being configured to slide along the track.

An orthopedic fixation system comprising

• a first means for securing a pair of adjacent vertebrae;
• a second means for securing said pair of adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• a third means for interconnecting together said first and second means.