Surgical fixation system and related methods

Abstract

A surgical fixation system having an improved mechanism to prevent the back out of screws employed in securing a surgical fixation plate to an intended orthopedic location.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is an International Patent Application claiming the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 695,589 filed August 20, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 057,793 filed May 30, 2008, all of which The contents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if fully set forth herein. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of surgical fixation, and more particularly to a surgical fixation system having an improved mechanism to prevent back-off of screws used in securing a surgical fixation plate to an intended orthopedic site. Background technique [0004] The use of surgical fixation systems comprising plates is well accepted for a variety of orthopedic procedures. One process in which proliferative growth occurs is a spinal fusion procedure in which a surgical fixation plate is secured along more than two vertebral...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Many cervical plates in the prior art are of uniform thickness overall, and to the degree that the plate surface is curved to facilitate interaction with the vertebrae, but often at the expense of damage to the esophagus (in the form of patient discomfort)

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