System and method for stabilizing the human spine with a bone plate

A bone plate system comprising:

• a plate;
• a hole through the plate, the hole extending from a top surface of the plate to a bottom surface of the plate, wherein a portion of the plate forms a wall of the hole;
• a fastener configured to couple the plate to a bone, the fastener comprising a head and a shank;
• and
• a ring positionable between the plate and the fastener within the hole, the ring comprising:
• a base;
• a projection extending upwards from the base;
• and
• a finger extending from the projection substantially parallel to the base, the finger configured to secure the head in the ring during use.

A bone plate system, comprising:

• a plate;
• a hole through the plate, the hole extending from a top surface of the plate to a bottom surface of the plate, and wherein a portion of the plate forms a wall of the hole;
• a fastener for coupling the plate to a bone, the fastener comprising a head and a shank, wherein a first portion of the head has a first diameter and a second portion of the head has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter;
• a ring configured to inhibit removal of a fastener from the plate when the ring is positioned in the hole and the fastener is positioned through the ring, the ring comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and a ridge on a portion of the inner surface;
• and
• wherein the ridge is expanded outwards when the first portion of the head passes into the ring, and wherein the ridge moves inward until the ridge contacts the head when the second portion of the head is positioned next to the ridge during use.

A bone plate system comprising:

• a plate for stabilizing a bone structure;
• a hole through the plate, wherein a portion of the plate forms a wall of the hole;
• a fastener configured to couple the plate to a bone head, said fastener comprising a head and a shank, wherein the head comprises:
• an opening configured to accept a driver head of an insertion tool;
• an outer surface;
• and
• a plurality of apertures extending from the outer surface to the opening;
• a ring positionable within the hole between the plate and the fastener;
• and
• a locking mechanism comprising a top and a plurality of elongated members extending from the top the locking mechanism configured to insert in the opening of the head with a portion of the elongated members extendable through the apertures in the head of the fastener during use.

A method for stabilizing a spine, comprising:

• inserting a locking mechanism into an opening on a head of a fastener, wherein said head of the fastener comprises an outer surface, and an aperture extending from the outer surface to the opening;
• positioning a plate adjacent to a bone, the plate comprising a hole;
• inserting a ring within the hole, the ring comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, and a groove on a portion of the inner surface of the ring;
• inserting a shank of the fastener through the ring and into the bone;
• forcing the outer surface of the ring against an inner surface of the hole with the head to substantially fix the fastener relative to the plate;
• and
• extending a locking mechanism projection through the aperture in the head to engage the groove to substantially secure the fastener to the ring.

A method for stabilizing a spine, comprising:

• positioning a plate adjacent to a bone, the plate comprising a hole;
• inserting a ring within the hole, said ring comprising a base and a projection extending upward substantially perpendicular to the base, said projecting comprising at least one finger extending from the projection substantially parallel to the base;
• placing a shank of a fastener through the ring so that an end of the shank extends from a bottom of the plate, said fastener comprising a head, said head comprising a groove;
• inserting the fastener shank into the bone to connect the plate to the bone;
• forcing an outer surface of the ring against an inner surface of the hole with the fastener head to substantially fix the fastener relative to the plate;
• and
• snapping the fingers into the groove on the head to substantially secure the fastener to the ring.

A method for stabilizing a spine, comprising:

• positioning a plate adjacent to a bone, the plate comprising a hole;
• inserting a ring into the hole, the ring comprising an inner surface and a ridge on a portion of the inner surface;
• placing a fastener into the ring, the fastener comprising a shank, a head, and a groove in the head;
• driving the fastener into the bone to couple the plate to the bone;
• inserting the head into the ring while driving the fastener into the bone, wherein inserting the head into the ring deflects the ridge outwards;
• further driving the fastener into the bone to couple the plate to the bone and to position the groove adjacent to the ridge so that the ridge deflects inwards towards the head and forms an interference fit with the groove, wherein the interference fit between the ring and the head inhibits the fastener from backing out of the plate during use.