Abstract: An orthopedic bone plate system having a bone plate for placement adjacent one or more vertebral bodies. The system further includes a locking element including a compression member and a fixation member wherein the compression member includes an aperture and at least one deformable portion. A bone fastener is also included in the present system which includes a bone engaging portion and a stem portion. The stem is capable of being slidably received within the aperture of the compression member while the locking member is capable of being received within an aperture of the bone plate. As the compression member is brought into proximity of a vertebral body along the longitudinal axis of the bone fastener, an increasing force is exerted against the fixation member and translated to the bone plate. The resultant force translated back to the fixation member to the compression member which causes the deformable portion of the compression member to clamp the bone fastener relative to the bone plate.

Abstract: A stabilizing assembly includes a fastener having an upper end and a lower end, a head at the upper end, and at least one anchoring element extending between the upper and lower ends. The head includes a center, an underside including a first radial surface and a top side including a second radial surface. The first radial surface of the head defines a first radius from the center of the head and the second radial surface defines a second radius from the center of the head, the first radius being greater than the second radius. The assembly also includes a coupling element having an upper end and a lower end, the coupling element including a rod receiving opening extending from the upper end thereof being adapted to receive a stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end of the coupling element for receiving the fastener, and a conical-shaped seat adjacent the lower end of the coupling element adapted to engage the first radial surface of the head when the fastener is positioned in the bore.

Abstract: A spinal cross connector connects a pair of longitudinally extending rods anchored to the spine. The cross connector has a first element, including a body, a rod gripping portion formed on a first end of the body and a circular arm extending along a first axis from a second end of the body. A second element is provided which has a body, a rod gripping portion formed on one end and a flange having a bore on a second end. The flange has a bearing surface surrounding the bore and another bearing surface it formed on the inner surface of the bore. A pivot element has a head portion, including a bore therethrough for engaging the arm on the first element. The pivot element has a threaded portion extending from the head along a second axis and a generally cylindrical bearing surface engageable with the bearing surface inside the bore. A lock nut is operatively engageable with the threaded portion on the pivot element to lock the assembly together.