Retaining mechanism
AssigneeWarsaw Orothopedic, Inc.
InventorSteven DeRidder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum and a retaining element. The stratum comprises a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to at least partially overlap the at least one hole such that the retaining element helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the at least at least one hole of the stratum, wherein the retaining element is substantially rigid. Further, methods of implanting a spinal plate are disclosed.
Claims20
A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone, the mechanism comprising:
- a stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone, and
- a retaining element configured to engage the stratum and configured to at least partially overlap the at least one hole such that the retaining element helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the at least at least one hole of the stratum, wherein the retaining element is substantially rigid.
A system for affixing a stratum to bone, the system comprising:
- a stratum having a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone;
- a fastener configured to pass at least partially through the at least one hole and configured to engage the at least a portion of the bone, the fastener further comprising:
- a head portion configured for manipulation by a user;
- and
- a shaft portion configured to engage at least a portion of bone;
- and
- a retaining element configured to engage the stratum and configured to at least partially overlap the head of the fastener such that the retaining element helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the at least one hole of the stratum, wherein the retaining element is substantially rigid.
A method of implanting a spinal plate, the method comprising the following steps:
- placing the spinal plate in a desired location on a spine, the plate comprising:
- a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the spine, and
- a retaining element configured for engaging the spinal plate and configured to at least partially overlap the at least one hole, wherein the retaining element is substantially rigid;
- while the retaining element does not block insertion of a fastener into the at least one hole, inserting the fastener into the at least one hole until it is in a desired position;
- and
- moving the retaining element on the spinal plate such that the retaining element helps prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.