Adjustable bone plate

Abstract

The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releasably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A bone plate of comprising more than one set of first members and second members wherein in each set the first member is releasably secured to the second member by attachment means which allows longitudinal adjustment of the first member and second member in relation to each other and locking means which restricts or inhibits movement of the first member and second member and wherein each set of first member and second member are connected to an adjacent set of first member and second member by bridging means which allows for lateral adjustment of one set of first member and second member in relation to an adjacent set of first member and second member and one or more bridge locking means which restricts or inhibits movement of the first member and second member sets. 
   
   
       3 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The bone plate of  claim 2  comprising a first set of first member and second member and a second set of first member and second member wherein a first bridging means connects the first member of the first set with the second member of the second set and a second bridging means connects the second member of the first set with the first member of the second set. 
   
   
       9 . The bone plate of  claim 8  wherein
 a) the first member of each set comprises a first member protuberance which extends from the first member forward side at a point between the first member first end and first member second end with the first member protuberance having a top surface, a bottom surface and a first member protuberance end wall and a first member bridging rod bore defined by the first member bridging rod bore wall having a first member bridging rod bore opening at the first member protuberance end wall with the first member bridging rod bore extending from the first member bridging rod bore opening to a point between the first member forward side and first member distal side, and   b) the second member of each set comprises a second member protuberance which extends from the second member forward side at a point between the second member first end and second member second end with the second member protuberance having a top surface, a bottom surface and a second member protuberance end wall and a second member bridging rod bore defined by the second member bridging rod bore wall having a second member bridging rod bore opening at the second member protuberance end wall with the second member bridging rod bore extending from the second member bridging rod bore opening to a point between the second member forward side and second member distal side.   
   
   
       10 . The bone plate of  claim 9  wherein each second member further comprises a bridging means locking bore defined by a bridging means locking bore wall which has an upper opening at the second member upper surface and/or the top surface of the second member protuberance and a lower opening at the second member bridging rod bore wherein the bridging means locking bore extends from the upper opening and bisects the second member bridging rod bore. 
   
   
       11 . The bone plate of  claim 12  wherein the bridging means locking bore wall is threaded. 
   
   
       12 . The bone plate of  claim 11  wherein each first member comprises a retaining pin hole proximate to the first member protuberance which is defined by a retaining pin hole wall and bisects the first member bridging means bore. 
   
   
       13 . The bone plate of  claim 12  wherein the retaining pin hole comprises one or more threaded sections. 
   
   
       14 . The bone plate of  claim 8  wherein each bridging means comprises a) a bridging rod having a circular end and a tapered end opposite thereto with a cylindrical section having a continuous curved outer section extending from the circular end to a cylindrical section termination point between the cylindrical end and the tapered end and a tapered section which extends from the cylindrical section termination point to the tapered end the tapered section comprising a top side having a slanted piece and a level piece having a first end and a second end at the tapered end wherein the slanted piece extends from the cylindrical section termination point to the first end of the slanted piece and b) bridge locking means. 
   
   
       15 - 20 . (canceled)