George G Ramirez

US Patent:

6626907, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Mar 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/803394

Inventors:

Christopher M. Campbell - Westwood NJ
Donald E. Anselm - Bermuda Dunes CA
Jason D. Blain - Palm Desert CA
Joel P. Bales - Palm Desert CA
Dan L. Pastrick - Palm Desert CA
George A. Ramirez - San Jacinto CA
Rick B. Delamarter - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

Alphatec Manufacturing, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

A61B 1770

US Classification:

606 61, 606 73

Abstract:

An anterior cervical plate is disclosed, along with threaded fasteners for securing the plate to vertebrae or other osseous material. The cervical plate has several pockets or apertures, preferably at least four, to receive a corresponding number of the fasteners. The pockets have spherical surfaces, and the fasteners have heads with similarly sized spherical surfaces, which when engaged permit each of the fasteners to be oriented at a variety of projection angles with respect to the plate. In connection with each pocket, the cervical plate incorporates a fastener retaining feature. The feature can take the form of a cantilevered tab or a beam supported at its opposite ends, in each case plastically deformable between an open position for admitting the fastener and a closed position for preventing retraction.