Acromed Corporation

Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Depuy Acromed, Inc.

Michael H Wefers

Hansen A Yuan

Aaron C Smith

Edward C Benzel

Alex Dinello

An apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member positionable along the spinal column. A member, such as a plate, connectable with the first vertebra has first and second fastener openings and a portion engageable with the longitudinal member. A first fastener extendable through the first fastener opening in the member has a first end portion for attachment to the first vertebra and has a longitudinal axis. A second fastener extendable through the second fastener opening in the member has a first end portion for attachment to the first vertebra and has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the first and second fasteners converge at an acute angle as viewed in a sagittal plane when the first and second fasteners connect the member with the first vertebra. The member connectable with the first vertebra has a body portion and has a lip portion projecting from the body portion of the member. The lip portion of the member is engageable with a surface of the first vertebra facing toward the second vertebra.

Spinal column retaining apparatus

An apparatus for retaining first and second cervical vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a pair of longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column. A first plate connectable to the first vertebra has an inner side surface for engaging an anterior surface of the first vertebra. The first plate interconnects the pair of longitudinal members. A first fastener is engageable with the first plate for connecting the first plate to the first vertebra. The first fastener has a threaded end portion for engaging the first vertebra. A second plate connectable to the second vertebra has an inner side surface for engaging an anterior surface of the second vertebra. The second plate interconnects the longitudinal members. A second fastener is engageable with the second plate for connecting the second plate to the second vertebra. The second fastener has a threaded end portion for engaging the second vertebra.

Cervical spine stabilization method and system

An apparatus for retaining first and second cervical vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a pair of longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column. A first plate connectable to the first vertebra has an inner side surface for engaging an anterior surface of the first vertebra. The first plate interconnects the pair of longitudinal members. First fastener means is engageable with the first plate for connecting the first plate to the first vertebra. The first fastener means has a threaded end portion for engaging the first vertebra. A second plate connectable to the second vertebra has an inner side surface for engaging an anterior surface of the second vertebra. The second plate interconnects the longitudinal members. Second fastener means is engageable with the second plate for connecting the second plate to the second vertebra. The second fastener means has a threaded end portion for engaging the second vertebra.

An apparatus retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member positionable along the spinal column. A member, such as a plate, connectable with the first vertebra has first and second fastener openings and a portion engageable with the longitudinal member. A first fastener extendable through the first fastener opening in the member has a first end portion for attachment to the first vertebra and has a longitudinal axis. A second fastener extendable through the second fastener opening in the member has a first end portion for attachment to the first vertebra and has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the first and second fasteners converge at an acute angle as viewed in a sagittal plane when the first and second fasteners connect the member with the first vertebra. The member connectable with the first vertebra has a body portion and has a lip portion projecting from the body portion of the member. The lip portion of the member is engageable with a surface of the first vertebra facing toward the second vertebra.

An apparatus for retaining first and second bone portions in a desired spatial relationship comprises a first member positionable along the first and second bone portions. A second member connectable with the first bone portion has surface member defining an opening. A fastener is extendable through the opening in the second member to connect the second member to the first bone portion. The fastener has a first portion for engaging the first bone portion and a second portion for clamping the first member against the second member to fix the first and second members against relative movement. The first member is also connected to the second bone portion.

Apparatus for retaining bone portions in a desired spatial relationship

An apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprises first and second longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column. A first member connects the first and second longitudinal members to the first vertebra and second member connects the first and second longitudinal members to the second vertebra. A connector for interconnecting the first and second longitudinal members extends between the first and second longitudinal members and transverse to the first and second longitudinal members. The connector includes a band defining first and second openings through which the first and second longitudinal members are extendable. The band includes first and second portions movable relatively between a first position in which the first and second band portions clamp the first and second longitudinal members in said first and second openings and a second position in which the first and second band portions are released from clamping the longitudinal members in said first and second openings.

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South Euclid, OH, United States of America

Michael H Wefers