Occipital plate fixation system

An orthopedic fixation system for attachment of a rod to a bone portion, the orthopedic fixation system comprising:

• a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface in opposition to one another, at least one pocket formed through the upper and lower surfaces, the pocket configured to receive an anchor for coupling the plate to the bone portion, a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, a line extending between the first end and the second end defining a longitudinal section of the plate, at least one arm portion extending at an angle from the longitudinal section of the plate, the at least one arm portion having a course;
• a housing having a base configured for slideable engagement with the course to allow selective positioning of the housing along the arm portion, the housing defining a passageway configured for slideable engagement with the rod to allow selective positioning of the rod and the housing with respect to one another, a rotational stop at least partially disposed in the course which limits the amount of rotation of the housing relative to the arm portion, and a compression fitting configured for engagement with the housing and the rod so as to allow selective fixation of the housing along the arm portion and the rod and the housing with respect to one another;
• and
• a ring member having an inner surface for engagement with the housing and a lower surface for engagement with the plate.

An occipital plate system adapted to attach a rod to an occipital bone, the occipital plate system comprising:

• a plate having spaced apart upper and lower surfaces, the plate having an elongate section defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second arms extending from the elongate section at an angle relative to the axis, the first arm having a sidewall extending between the upper and lower surfaces defining at least one course;
• a housing having a base portion, an attachment ring, and a saddle portion, the saddle portion being coupled to the attachment ring so as to permit limited rotation within the course;
• at least one rotational limit stop in connection with one of the attachment ring and the housing base so as to allow the housing to slideably engage the course for selective position thereof along the arm and to provide limited rotation of the saddle portion relative to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a compression fitting adapted to engage the saddle to selectively lock a rod in the saddle and the housing to the arm portion.