Dynamic, modular, multilock anterior cervical plate system having detachably fastened assembleable and moveable segments

A plate adapted to be applied the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments from one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to permit said first and second plate segments to move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate when attached to the adjacent adjacent vertebral bodies;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.

A plate adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments relative to one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to facilitate movement of said first and second plate segments in a direction toward one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate and to resist movement of said first and said second plate segments in a direction away from one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate, said first and second plate segments moving in only a single direction toward one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate when said fastener is in said first position;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.

A plate adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate, at least a portion of said upper surface of said second plate segment being convex at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate, said concave lower surface of said first plate segment having a radius of curvature that is different than the radius of curvature of said convex upper surface of said second plate segment;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments relative to one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to facilitate movement of said first and second plate segments in a direction toward one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate and to resist movement of said first and said second plate segments in a direction away from one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.

The plate adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate, at least a portion of said lower surface of said first plate segment being configured to interdigitate with at least a portion of said upper surface of said second plate segment, at least a portion of said lower surface of said first plate segment and said at least a portion of the upper surface of said second plate segment including at least one ratcheting configured to permit movement of said first and second plate segments toward one another in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of said plate and to restrict movement in a direction opposite to said first direction;
• at least one bone screw receiving hale extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments relative to one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to facilitate movement of said first and second plate segments in a direction toward one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate and to resist movement of said first and said second plate segments in a direction away from one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.

A system adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said system comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in pad along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments relative to one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to facilitate movement of said first and second plate segments in a direction toward one another along the longitudinal ads of said plate and to resist movement of said first and said second plate segments in a direction away from one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to sail plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively;
• and
• an interbody spinal fusion implant.

A plate adapted to be applied to the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments relative to one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to facilitate movement of said first and second plate segments in a direction toward one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate and to resist movement of said first and said second plate segments in a direction away from one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively, at least one of said plate, said fastener, and said bone screw lock being electrified for purposes of stimulating bone growth and contributing to bone fusion.

A plate adapted to be applied the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of tie longitudinal axis of said plate, at least a portion of said lower surface of said first plate segment being configured to interdigitate with at least a portion of said upper surface of said second plate segment, at least a portion of said lower surface of said first plate segment and said at least a portion of the upper surface of said second plate segment including at least one ratcheting configured to permit movement of said first and second plate segments toward one another in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of said plate and to restrict movement in a direction opposite to said first direction;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments from one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to permit said first and second plate segments to move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively.

A system adapted to be applied the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said system comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments from one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to permit said first and second plate segments to move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively;
• and
• an interbody spinal fusion implant.

A system adapted to be applied the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said system comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments from one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to permit said first and second plate segments to move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively;
• and
• at least one spinal fixation implant.

A plate adapted to be applied the anterior human cervical spine for contacting the anterior aspects of at least two cervical vertebral bodies to be fused together, said plate comprising:

• at least a first plate segment adapted to be attached to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused and at least a second plate segment adapted to be attached to another one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to be fused, said at least first and second plate segments adapted to be connected to one another and at least in part overlapped to form said plate, said at least first and second plate segments being in a moveable relationship to one another along a longitudinal axis of said plate, each of said at least first and second plate segments including:
• a lower surface adapted to contact at least one of the cervical vertebral bodies and an upper surface opposite said lower surface, said lower surface being concave at least in part along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• at least one bone screw receiving hole extending from said upper surface through said lower surface, each of said bone screw receiving holes adapted to overlie one of the cervical vertebral bodies and being adapted to receive at least one bone screw for engaging the cervical vertebral body to attach said plate to the cervical spine;
• at least one fastener adapted to couple together said first and second plate segments, said fastener being detachably attached to at least one of said first and second plate segments so as to permit assembly of said first and second plate segments by the surgeon and complete uncoupling of said first and second plate segments from one another, said fastener having a first position adapted to permit said first and second plate segments to move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of said plate;
• and
• at least one bone screw lock adapted to lock to said plate at least two bone screws inserted in said bone screw receiving holes, respectively, at least one of said plate, said fastener, and said bone screw lock being electrified for purposes of stimulating bone growth and contributing to tone fusion.