Plating system for the spine

Claim 2

A spinal fixation system comprising: an elongated bone plate having a central longitudinal axis and a predetermined thickness, the bone plate defined by opposed first and second end portions, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the bone plate defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate, the flexure slots terminating at locations spaced from one another, and each end portion of the bone plate having at least one bore extending therethrough for receiving a bone fastener.

Claim 3

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 4

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 5

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least three flexure slots extend inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, and at least three flexure slots extend inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate.

Claim 6

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot extends through the thickness of the bone plate from the top surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof.

Claim 7

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot terminates at a location adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 8

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot terminates at a location on the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 9

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot terminates in a rounded surface.

Claim 10

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each flexure slot has a substantially similar length.

Claim 11

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a first bone fastener dimensioned and configured to extend through a first bore in the first end portion of the bone plate to secure the bone plate to a first vertebra and a second bone fastener dimensioned and configured to extend through a second bore in the first end portion of the bone plate to secure the bone plate to a second vertebra.

Claim 12

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 10 , wherein each bone fastener is secured within the bore of the locking plate by a threaded locking nut.

Claim 13

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 10 , wherein each bone fastener is secured within the bore of the locking plate by a compressible locking washer.

Claim 14

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each end portion of the bone plate has a pair of adjacent bores extending therethrough, each for receiving a bone fastener to secure the bone plate to vertebra.

Claim 15

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each bore in the bone plate is countersunk.

Claim 16

A spinal fixation system comprising: a) an elongated bone plate having a central longitudinal axis and a predetermined thickness, the bone plate defined by opposed first and second end portions, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the bone plate defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate, the flexure slots terminating at locations spaced from one another, each end portion of the bone plate having at least two bores formed therein, each bore dimensioned and configured to receive a threaded bone fastener; and b) a threaded bone fastener adapted for locked engagement within each bore of the bone plate and configured to secure the bone plate to vertebrae.

Claim 17

A spinal fixation system comprising: a) an elongated bone plate having a central longitudinal axis and a predetermined thickness, the bone plate defined by opposed first and second end portions, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the bone plate defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, at least one flexure slot extending inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate, the flexure slots terminating at locations spaced from one another, each end portion of the bone plate having at least two bores formed therein, each bore dimensioned and configured to receive a threaded bone fastener; and b) a threaded bone fastener adapted for locked engagement within each bore of the bone plate and configured to secure the bone plate to vertebrae.

Claim 18

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 19

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 20

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein a plurality of flexure slots extend inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, and a plurality of flexure slots extend inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate.

Claim 21

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot extends through the thickness of the bone plate from the top surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof and terminates at a location substantially along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 22

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot has a substantially similar length and terminates in a rounded surface.

Claim 23

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot terminates at a location adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 24

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each flexure slot terminates at a location on the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 25

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 15 , wherein each bone fastener is secured within the bore of the locking plate by at least one of a threaded locking nut and a compressible locking washer.

Claim 26

A spinal fixation plate comprising: an elongated plate body having a central longitudinal axis, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the plate body defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges, a plurality of flexure slots extending inwardly from the first lateral edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate body, a plurality of flexure slots extending inwardly from the second lateral edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate body, the flexure slots terminating at locations axially spaced from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of the plate body.

Claim 27

A spinal fixation plate comprising: an elongated plate body having a central longitudinal axis, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the plate body defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges, a plurality of flexure slots extending inwardly from the first lateral edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate body, a plurality of flexure slots extending inwardly from the second lateral edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate body, the flexure slots terminating at locations axially spaced from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of the plate body.

Claim 28

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 23 , wherein each flexure slot has a substantially similar length with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 29

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the bone plate has flexure slots of different length with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.

Claim 30

A spinal fixation system as recited in claim 23 , wherein each flexure slot terminates in a rounded surface configured to reduce stress concentrations.