Anterior cervical plating system and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for anterior fixation of the spine that utilizes an elongated fixation plate. The plating system stabilizes the spine and promotes fusion and incorporation of a graft or implant in a portion of the spinal column. In one aspect of the invention, the fixation plate has a first end with a pair of holes. Bone screws extend through the holes to rigidly secure the plate to a first vertebra. The second end of the plate is provided with a pair of slots through which bone screws extend for engagement with a second vertebra. The screws extending through the slots are translatable in the slot to maintain compression of the spinal column portion. The plating system includes a retainer assembly that prevents screw back out. Methods and instruments relating to the plating system are also described.

94 . A bone fixation system for a portion of the spinal column, comprising: 
 a plate having a length along a central axis extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and a top surface and a bottom surface along said length, and said plate having a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings between said surfaces, wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of first openings is positioned adjacent said first end, said one first opening defining a circular hole having a first diameter adjacent said bottom surface;  
 at least one of said plurality of second openings is positioned adjacent said second end, said one second opening defining a slot having a first width and a first length adjacent said bottom surface;  
   bone engaging fasteners extending through said first and second openings, each bone engaging fastener having an elongated shank defining bone engaging threads thereon and an enlarged head, said shank having a substantially cylindrical portion with a third diameter less than said first diameter so said bone engaging fastener can be inserted through said one first opening and said cylindrical portion contacts said plate in said one first opening so that said bone engaging fastener assumes a fixed orientation relative to said plate, said cylindrical portion third diameter also less than said second width so said bone engaging fastener can be inserted through said one second opening from said top surface of said plate and said head of said bone engaging fastener is translatable along the length of said at least one second opening to maintain compression of the spinal column portion.