Lateral vertebral lumbar plate system with integrated rotational control mechanism for screw retention
Inventors
Thompson, Joseph • Klepač, Gary W.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12544116-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A plate system includes a retention cap and a plate. The retention cap includes a head with tangs and a shank. The shank includes protrusions at an end of the shank and relief cut-outs clocked relative to the protrusions. The plate includes screw holes and a locking feature. The locking feature includes an assembly guide adapted to guide the shank and features thereof into the locking feature, locking detents distal to the top surface of the plate and adapted to receive the protrusions and interfere with rotational movement of the retention cap, and a retainer positioned axially between the assembly guide and the locking detents. The retainer is adapted to prevent axial movement of the retention cap. The locking feature is adapted to hold the retention cap with the tangs overlapping the screw holes and with the tangs not overlapping the screw holes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a plate for securing to a vertebrae or other osseous material, including screw holes adapted to receive bone screws and a locking feature for an associated retention cap. The locking feature includes an assembly guide proximal to a top surface of the plate that guides a shank of the retention cap and features of the shank into the locking feature. Axially symmetric cut-outs distal to the top surface of the plate receive protrusions of the retention cap and interfere with rotational movement of the retention cap.
The locking feature further includes a retainer positioned axially between the assembly guide and the axially symmetric cut-outs. The retainer is adapted to prevent axial movement of the associated retention cap. The assembly guide includes an internal thread that guides the shank of the retention cap into the locking feature via an external thread on the shank of the retention cap.
The retainer comprises a blind recess bore adapted to receive the external thread therein to prevent backout of the associated retention cap. The disclosed structure thus combines guided engagement, rotational interference via axially symmetric cut-outs, and axial retention using a blind recess bore to prevent backout while securing the retention cap to the plate.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a plate locking feature with an assembly guide, axially symmetric cut-outs for rotational interference, and a retainer that prevents axial movement and backout via a blind recess bore, including thread-guided engagement between an internal thread on the plate and an external thread on the retention-cap shank. Dependent claims refine this locking feature arrangement by adding rotational clocking, central placement, optional multiple locking features with symmetry, and a lead-in chamfer.
Plate for securing to vertebrae with screw holes and retention cap locking feature
A plate includes screw holes adapted to receive bone screws and a locking feature including an assembly guide proximal to a top surface of the plate; axially symmetric cut-outs distal to the top surface adapted to receive protrusions of an associated retention cap and interfere with rotational movement; and a retainer positioned axially between the assembly guide and the axially symmetric cut-outs adapted to prevent axial movement of the associated retention cap.
Thread-guided assembly guide with internal and external threads
The assembly guide comprises an internal thread adapted to guide the shank of the associated retention cap into the locking feature via an external thread on the shank of the associated retention cap.
Blind recess bore retainer to prevent backout
The retainer comprises a blind recess bore adapted to receive the external thread therein to prevent backout of the associated retention cap.
Clocking star-pattern limiting rotation to one threading direction
Axially symmetric cut-outs adapted to receive protrusions are configured to limit the associated retention cap’s rotation to one direction aligned with threading the shank into the locking feature.
Centrally located locking feature between screw holes
The locking feature is centrally located in the plate between the screw holes.
First and second locking features
The locking feature is a first locking feature, and the plate includes a second locking feature also configured as the locking feature.
Symmetry of first and second locking features about a transverse plane
The first and second locking features are arranged symmetrically about a transverse plane.
Lead-in chamfer guiding retention cap shank
A lead-in chamfer on the top surface guides the shank of the associated retention cap into the locking feature.
Across the independent claim and refinements, the plate locking feature combines guided thread engagement, rotational interference using axially symmetric cut-outs, and axial retention with a blind recess bore to prevent backout. Dependent refinements include a clocking star-pattern for unidirectional rotational alignment with threading, central placement, optional first and second locking features with symmetry, and a lead-in chamfer for guiding the shank.
Stated Advantages
Ease-of-manufacturing.
Prevention of disassembly.
Tactile/driver-actuated locking and unlocking during lateral surgery.
Documented Applications
Lateral surgery in an intervertebral space involving a lateral lumbar vertebral plate system with retention caps and bone screws.
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