Method for postoperatively compressing a bone graft
AssigneeZimmer Spine, Inc.
InventorSaid G. Osman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for postoperatively compressing a bone graft between adjacent spinal vertebrae utilizing first and second plates having openings at remote ends for receiving bone screws to fix the plates to respective vertebrae on opposite sides of a bone graft-receiving site. The first and second plates have male and female parts having interlocking elements cooperable with one another enabling movement of the plates and the adjacent vertebrae to one another to progressively compress the bone graft between the adjacent vertebrae and prevent movement of the first and second plates and adjacent vertebrae away from one another.
Claims15
An apparatus for treating a spinal disorder, comprising:
- a spinal fixation device including first and second plates each having a pair of generally laterally aligned openings for cooperation with fasteners to secure the first and second plates to adjacent vertebrae, the first and second plates having respective first and second sets of lateral interlocking elements cooperable with one another to enable progressive postoperative advancement of the plates toward one another and to lock the first and second plates to one another in a plurality of advanced positions precluding movement of the first and second plates away from one another in each the advanced position for progressively compressing a bone graft between the adjacent vertebrae, one of the first and second plates including a leg mounting one of the first and second sets of interlocking elements for flexing movement toward and away from another of the first and second sets of interlocking elements to enable the progressive advancement and locking of the first and second plates to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.