Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.

Abstract: An improved spinal fusion system (10) for positioning between a first and second vertebral body, the system (10) has a body (100), a pair of polyaxial fasteners (220) and a locking bridge (102). The distal end has a slotted opening (120) extending through the body (100) and forming a gap extending between the two or more bore holes (110) to form a deflectable bridge (102) spanning the bore holes (110). The bridge (102) has a center opening (50) for receiving a set screw (20) passing through the bridge (102) into a threaded opening (52) in the body. When the set screw (20) is tightened, it deflects the bridge (102) closing the gap as the bridge (102) contacts an exterior surface of each head (210) of the polyaxial fasteners (200). The angulation of each polyaxial screw (200) is adjustable, controlled by the tightening of the set screw. Initial contact of the bridge (102) with the head (210) of the fastener (200) reduces angulation movement of the shank (220) requiring manual manipulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique way to provide a self-locking screw opening that has no separate parts. The self-locking feature (20) is formed in the wall (11) of the screw receiver opening (12) and automatically locks a screw (100) from backing out. During insertion of the screw (100) into bone, the screw head (110) passes one or more, preferably two nubs (20) or one or more projections (20) formed into the surface wall (11) of the receiver opening (12), and as the screw (100) is threaded into the bone, the screw head (110) contacts the nubs (20) or projection (20) and the screw (100) is deflected slightly in a direction opposite the nubs (20) or projection (20) allowing the screw head (110) to pass by the nubs (20) or projection (20) locking the screw (100) from backing out.