The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 01, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2004
Gary S. Lindemann, Collierville, TN (US);
Larry Gause, Memphis, TN (US);
Robert A. Farris, Cordova, TN (US);
Regis W. Haid, Jr., Atlanta, GA (US);
Stephen Papadopoulos, Paradise Valley, AZ (US);
Rick Sasso, Carmel, IN (US);
Volker Sonntag, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Vince Traynelis, Iowa City, IA (US);
Iain Kalfas, Beachwood, OH (US);
Gary S. Lindemann, Collierville, TN (US);
Larry Gause, Memphis, TN (US);
Robert A. Farris, Cordova, TN (US);
Regis W. Haid, Jr., Atlanta, GA (US);
Stephen Papadopoulos, Paradise Valley, AZ (US);
Rick Sasso, Carmel, IN (US);
Volker Sonntag, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Vince Traynelis, Iowa City, IA (US);
Iain Kalfas, Beachwood, OH (US);
Abstract
A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.