Abstract: Spinal plate assembly, and methods of use, wherein a retaining element such as a retaining band, optionally a resiliently flexible band, mounted to a spinal plate, activates a blocking feature of the spinal plate assembly to thereby prevent the bone fastener from withdrawing out of the spinal plate assembly and past the blocking member. The apertures are typically, but not necessarily, elongate slots, elongate axes of all such slots being commonly oriented. The band can be fabricated from a variety of bio-stable, bio-compatible medical grade materials, including metals or implantable plastics. The retaining element or elements can be disposed in intermittently-located channel elements in the plate.

Abstract: Spinal plate assemblies, methods of fabrication, and methods of use. Such assemblies comprises blocking structures assembled to spinal plates. The blocking structure comprises an elongate band which can be against structure of the plate. The band is mounted into a continuous or intermittent channel in the plate, and extends into an aperture in the plate. The band responds to side forces applied by interfering elements of bone fasteners driven through an aperture, by moving away from the interfering element, and returning to a blocking position over the interfering element after the interfering element has passed the band. Methods of fabrication include inserting the blocking structure, optionally longitudinally, into the channel. Methods of use include advancing bone screws through an aperture and past the band. The bone screw deflects the band as the screw passes, and the band moves to the blocking position when the screw has moved past the band.

Abstract: Bone treatment plate assemblies, methods of fabrication, and methods of use. Such assemblies comprise spring structures assembled to bone treatment plates. The spring structure comprises elongate bands, and springs between the bands, urging the bands against structure of the plate. Spring width is less than spring height and/or one or more protuberances extending from the band or bands cooperate with one or more detents in the plate thereby to arrest longitudinal movement of the spring structure with respect to the plate.

Abstract: Spinal support assemblies, and methods of use, provide stabilization of the treated portion of the spine while accommodating limited, controlled angular movement of the treated portion of the spine, also while limiting transverse movement of the spine. Adapters, such as lamellar hooks and/or bone screws attach the spinal support assembly to support vertebrae. Reinforcing rods in the spinal support assemblies embody any of a variety of structures and configurations, all of which provide for support and force transfer while providing for limited and controlled levels of dynamic, ongoing bending of the rod. The reinforcing rod can bend to accommodate limited bending of the treated portion of the spine, as the subject bends the spine in normal activities. The reinforcing rod stabilizes the vertebrae against vertical and/or transverse lateral movement of the reinforcing rod, members of the reinforcing rod, and/or vertebrae.

Abstract: A sliding bone support plate assembly comprises at least first and second plates which slide with respect to each other, varying the length of the plate assembly by plate-on-plate sliding after bone screws mount the plate assembly to vertebrae in a recipient. The plates comprise cooperating sliding structures which cooperate with each other to interconnect the plates to each other and to facilitate sliding movement of the plates with respect to each other. Such sliding accommodates varying the length of the plate assembly, and relieving stress which would otherwise be imposed on the plate assembly by post-procedural settling of respective vertebrae to which the plates are mounted without requiring any movement of a plate with respect to a bone to which that plate is mounted. The plate assembly is fabricated using bio-compatible, bio-stable materials which are safe for extended use in a living human, and which are not generally assimilated.

Abstract: A sliding bone support plate assembly comprises at least first and second plates which slide with respect to each other, varying the length of the plate assembly by plate-on-plate sliding after bone screws mount the plate assembly to vertebrae in a recipient. The plates comprise cooperating sliding structures which cooperate with each other to interconnect the plates to each other and to facilitate sliding movement of the plates with respect to each other. Such sliding accommodates varying the length of the plate assembly, and relieving stress which would otherwise be imposed on the plate assembly by post-procedural settling of respective vertebrae to which the plates are mounted without requiring any movement of a plate with respect to a bone to which that plate is mounted. The plate assembly is fabricated using bio-compatible, bio-stable materials which are safe for extended use in a living human, and which are not generally assimilated.