Angulating Bone Plate

Abstract

An angulating spinal plate assembly for fixation and/or support of bones of the spinal column is provided. The angulating bone plate includes interleaved, arcuate sheets that facilitate relative motion between first/second elements. An implant assembly is also provided that includes an angulating bone plate and associated first/second intervertebral plates that extend therefrom. The angulating bone plate generally includes an interleaved elements, e.g., an upstanding tab that cooperates with opposing faces of an opening, that permit rotational movement as between first/second implant elements until a desired relative orientation is achieved. At such time, a fixation/locking element is generally employed to fix the first/second implant elements relative to each other. The rotational movement permitted is generally in multiple planes based on the cooperative arcuate surfaces provided in the disclosed elements, i.e., side-to-side and top-to-bottom freedoms of movement.

1 . A spinal plate, comprising:
 a. first and second elements that define spaced sheets that are configured and dimensioned to interleave relative to each other; and   b. a fastening mechanism for fixing the first and second elements relative to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elements define arcuate geometries. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism includes apertures that extend at least in part through at least one of the first and second elements. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal plate according to  claim 3 , wherein the fastening mechanism further includes a fastening member adapted to fix the first element relative to the second element. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more structural elements that are adapted to facilitate connection of the spinal plate relative to an implant. 
     
     
         6 . In combination, a spinal plate according to  claim 1  and an implant connected relative thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The combination according to  claim 6 , wherein the spinal plate is connected relative to the implant prior to implantation.