Occipito-cervical stabilization system and method

A system for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine, comprising:

• a plate for contacting the region of the skull, wherein the plate comprises openings configured to accept connecting members that secure the plate to the skull during use;
• connecting members for securing the plate to the region of the skull;
• and
• a cable assembly for engaging a cervical vertebra of the spine, wherein the cable assembly is configured to be attached to the plate during use.

A system for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine, comprising:

• a plate configured to contact a region of a skull, wherein the plate comprises openings configured to secure the plate to the skull during use;
• arms extending from the plate, each arm extending from the plate to a position adjacent to at least one cervical vertebra of the spine;
• connecting members configured to engage the openings and secure the plate to the region of the skull during use;
• a cable assembly configured to be coupled to the plate;
• and
• an anchoring system for securing the arms to cervical vertebrae, wherein the anchoring system comprises anchoring bolts wherein each of the anchoring bolt are configured to be inserted into at least two cervical vertebrae.

A system for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine, comprising:

• a first portion of a plate configured to contact the region of the skull, wherein the first portion of the plate comprises openings configured to secure the first portion of the plate to the skull during use;
• a second portion of the plate extending from the first portion, wherein said second portion extends from the plate to an area that is adjacent to at least one vertebra;
• connecting members configured to engage the openings and secure the first portion of the plate to the region of the skull during use;
• connectors coupled to the second portion, wherein at least one connector comprises:
• a first piece having a projection;
• a second piece having an opening that is sized to allow the projection to pass through the opening;
• a locking nut configured to secure the first piece to the second piece and secure the connector to the second member;
• and
• a surface having radially oriented serrations;
• anchoring bolts configured to be coupled to the connectors and to a vertebra, wherein at least one of the anchoring bolts comprises:
• a bolt head having an opening configured to allow the projection to pass through the bolt head;
• and
• a surface having radially oriented serrations that are configured to engage the serrations of the at least one connector to inhibit rotation of the anchoring bolt with respect to the at least one connector during use;
• wherein the plate is a unitary structure wherein the first portion and the second portion are not releasably attached together.