阅读说明：本技术 可调节高度的骨板系统 (Height-adjustable bone plate system ) 是由 W·A·雷扎切 J·辛普森 D·H·布朗宁 R·A·海因斯 于 2019-10-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种可附接到骨结构(例如,骶骨)的可调节高度的骨板系统。所述可调节高度的骨板系统提供螺钉头部部分的高度调节以促进在适当的、推荐的或所要高度处附接接收器部分和脊柱杆,以用于使所述脊柱杆与附接到邻近骨结构(例如,腰脊柱的L5)的椎弓根螺钉组合件的接收器进行牢固互连。(An adjustable height bone plate system attachable to a bone structure (e.g., a sacrum) is provided. The adjustable height bone plating system provides height adjustment of the screw head portion to facilitate attachment of the receiver portion and spinal rod at an appropriate, recommended, or desired height for secure interconnection of the spinal rod with a receiver of a pedicle screw assembly attached to adjacent bony structures (e.g., L5 of the lumbar spine).)

1. A system, comprising:

a plate segment having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower surface, an upper surface, a first thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface, and at least one aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, portions of the first end and the second end being opposite one another, portions of the first side and the second side being opposite one another, the lower surface being configured to contact bone, and the at least one aperture being configured to receive a bone screw to facilitate attachment of the plate segment to bone;

a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a second thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and

a plate neck section including a first end and a second end opposite one another, the first end attached to the plate body section, the second end attached to the plate head portion, the plate neck portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section;

wherein the plate neck portion spaces the upper surface of the plate head section from the upper surface of the plate body section by at least a first height, and wherein a screw head portion of a screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum second height and a maximum third height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the third height being greater than the second height, and the second height being greater than the first height.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate head section further includes an end surface at the second end extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a slot extending through the end surface and a portion of the plate head section to divide the portion of the plate head section into a lower portion and an upper portion, and wherein the slot provides a bend between the lower portion and the upper portion to cause interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on a shaft portion of the screw section.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spring positioned between the upper surface of the plate head section and the screw head portion, the spring including a lower portion, an upper portion, and at least a first end portion attaching the lower portion and the upper portion to one another, the at least first end portion generating a spring force biasing the lower portion and the upper portion relative to one another into a first orientation.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lower portion of the spring includes a first opening, the upper portion of the spring includes a second opening, and a shaft portion of the screw section is received through the first opening and the second opening, and the spring force applied by the spring against the plate head section and the screw head portion causes interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the spring further includes a second end portion attaching the lower portion and the upper portion to one another, the first end portion and the second end portion being on opposite ends of the spring and biasing the lower portion and the upper portion into the first orientation relative to one another.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending downward from the lower surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into a path of a shaft portion of the screw section and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending upward from the upper surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into the path of a shaft portion of the screw section and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

8. A system, comprising:

a plate section attachable to a bone, the plate section having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower surface, an upper surface, at least a portion of the first end and the second end of the plate section being opposite one another and at least a portion of the first side and the second side being opposite one another, and the lower surface of the plate section being configured to contact a bone;

a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and

a plate neck portion including a first end and a second end opposite one another, the first end attached to the plate body section and the second end attached to the plate head section, the plate neck portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section to space the plate body section and the plate head section from one another;

wherein a screw head portion of a screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum first height and a maximum second height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the second height being greater than the first height.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plate head section further includes an end surface at the second end extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a slot extending through the end surface and a portion of the plate head section to divide the portion of the plate head section into a lower portion and an upper portion, and wherein the slot provides a bend between the lower portion and the upper portion to cause interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on a shaft portion of the screw section.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a spring positioned between the upper surface of the plate head section and the screw head portion, the spring including a lower portion, an upper portion, and at least a first end portion attaching the lower portion and the upper portion to one another, the at least first end portion generating a spring force biasing the lower portion and the upper portion relative to one another into a first orientation.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the lower portion of the spring includes a first opening, the upper portion of the spring includes a second opening, and a shaft portion of the screw section is received through the first opening and the second opening, and the spring force applied by the spring against the plate head section and the screw head portion causes interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the spring further includes a second end portion attaching the lower portion and the upper portion to one another, the first end portion and the second end portion being on opposite ends of the spring and biasing the lower portion and the upper portion into the first orientation relative to one another.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending downward from the lower surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into a path of the shaft portion and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on a shaft portion of the screw section.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending upward from the upper surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into the path of the shaft portion and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on a shaft portion of the screw section.

15. A system, comprising:

a plate body section attachable to a bone;

a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and

a plate neck portion attached at one end to the plate body section, attached at another end to the plate head section, and extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section;

wherein the plate neck portion spaces the upper surface of the plate head section from the upper surface of the plate body section, and wherein a screw head portion of a screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum first height and a maximum second height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the second height being greater than the first height.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plate head section further includes an end surface at the second end extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a slot extending through the end surface and a portion of the plate head section to divide the portion of the plate head section into a lower portion and an upper portion, and wherein the slot provides a bend between the lower portion and the upper portion to cause interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on a shaft portion of the screw section.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a spring positioned between the upper surface of the plate head section and the screw head portion, the spring including a lower portion, an upper portion, and at least a first end portion attaching the lower portion and the upper portion to one another, the at least first end portion generating a spring force biasing the lower portion and the upper portion relative to one another into a first orientation.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lower portion of the spring includes a first opening, the upper portion of the spring includes a second opening, and a shaft portion of the screw section is received through the first opening and the second opening, and the spring force applied by the spring against the plate head section and the screw head portion causes interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending downward from the lower surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into a path of a shaft portion of the screw section and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the plate head section includes a crenulation extending upward from the upper surface of the plate head section and disposed adjacent at least a portion of the aperture in the plate head section, the crenulation including at least two tabs and a space between the at least two tabs, the at least two tabs extending into the path of a shaft portion of the screw section and impinging on the shaft portion, the shaft portion received into and passing through the aperture of the screw head portion, the at least two tabs impinging on the shaft portion causing interference between a first thread disposed in the aperture of the plate head section and a second thread disposed on the shaft portion of the screw section.

Technical Field

The present technology relates generally to an adjustable height bone plate system.

Background

Surgical rods are commonly used to surgically correct spinal abnormalities. Typically, pedicle screw assemblies are used to facilitate placement and attachment of spinal rods with respect to the spine. Such pedicle screw assemblies include at least a bone screw segment and a receiver portion attached to one another. The bone screw sections are attached to vertebrae, and the receiver portions receive portions of the spinal rod. In addition, the receiver portion of a typical pedicle screw assembly may be angled and fixedly positioned relative to the screw segments to provide for attachment of the spinal rod between vertebrae. Oftentimes, however, severe spinal abnormalities do not provide for positioning of the pedicle screw assembly so that the spinal rod may be adequately attached between adjacent bony structures. To illustrate, spinal abnormalities can cause a pedicle screw assembly attached to adjacent bony structures to be offset in height relative to another pedicle screw assembly to an extent that is detrimental to adequate attachment of the spinal rod. For example, the transition between the lumbar spine and the sacrum may provide such an undesirable height offset. Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustable height bone plate system that can be attached to a bony structure (e.g., the sacrum) to provide height adjustment of the screw head portion, facilitating attachment of the receiver portion and spinal rod at an appropriate, recommended, or desired height for fixed interconnection of the spinal rod with the receiver of a pedicle screw assembly attached to an adjacent bony structure (e.g., L5 of the lumbar spine).

Disclosure of Invention

The techniques of the present disclosure generally relate to one or more adapters that can be used with a sacral pedicle screw or other type of anatomical support.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising: a plate segment having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower surface, an upper surface, a first thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface, and at least one aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, portions of the first end and the second end being opposite one another, portions of the first side and the second side being opposite one another, the lower surface being configured to contact bone, and the at least one aperture being configured to receive a bone screw to facilitate attachment of the plate segment to the bone; a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a second thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and a plate neck section including a first end and a second end opposite one another, the first end attached to the plate body section and the second end attached to the plate head portion, the plate neck portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section; wherein the plate neck portion spaces the upper surface of the plate head section from the upper surface of the plate body section by at least a first height, and wherein the screw head portion of the screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum second height and a maximum third height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the third height being greater than the second height, and the second height being greater than the first height.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising: a plate segment attachable to a bone, the plate segment having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower surface, an upper surface, at least a portion of the first end and the second end of the plate segment being opposite one another and at least a portion of the first side and the second side being opposite one another, and the lower surface of the plate segment being configured to contact the bone; a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and a plate neck portion including a first end and a second end opposite one another, the first end attached to the plate body section and the second end attached to the plate head section, the plate neck portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section to space the plate body section and the plate head section from one another; wherein the screw head portion of the screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum first height and a maximum second height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the second height being greater than the first height.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising: a plate section attachable to a bone; a plate head section having a first end, a second end, a lower surface, an upper surface, a thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section, and an aperture extending between the lower surface and the upper surface of the plate head section; and a plate neck portion attached at one end to the plate body section, attached at another end to the plate head section, and extending upwardly and outwardly from the plate body section; wherein the plate neck portion spaces an upper surface of the plate head section from an upper surface of the plate body section, and wherein the screw head portion of the screw section is positionable upwardly and downwardly by rotation of the screw section relative to the aperture in the plate head portion between a minimum first height and a maximum second height relative to the upper surface of the plate head section, the second height being greater than the first height.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an adjustable height bone plating system;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, rear perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top, front, exploded perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top, front perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of an adjustable height bone plating system;

FIG. 5 is a bottom, rear perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top, front, exploded perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top, front perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of an adjustable height bone plating system;

FIG. 8 is a bottom, rear perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom, front, exploded perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top, front perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of an adjustable height bone plating system;

FIG. 11 is a bottom, rear perspective view illustrating the plating system of FIG. 10; and is

Fig. 12 is a top, front, exploded perspective view illustrating the plating system of fig. 10.

Detailed Description

An adjustable height bone plate system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in fig. 1-3. The plating system 10 may be attached to a bone, such as a sacrum. Thus, the plate system 10 may be a sacral plating system. The plate system 10 includes a plate body section or portion 12, a plate neck section or portion 14, a plate head section or portion 16, and a screw section or portion 18. The board head portion 16 is spaced from the board body portion 12 by the board neck portion 14, and the screw portion 18 is adjustable up and down relative to the board head portion 16. The spacing and adjustability of plate system 10 provides for positioning screw head portion 20 at an appropriate, recommended, or desired height to facilitate interconnection with additional surgical instruments such as the receiver disclosed in U.S. patent No. 15/843,938, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As depicted in fig. 1-3, the plate body portion 12 includes a first end 30, a second end 32, a first side 34, and a second side 36. The plate body portion 12 defines or is disposed in the following dimensions or directions: along a long medial longitudinal axis A extending through the first end 30₁A first dimension or direction (FIG. 1), or along a short medial longitudinal axis A extending through the first side 34 and the second side 36₂A second dimension or direction (fig. 1). Portions of the first and second ends 30, 32 are opposite one another, and portions of the first and second sides 34, 36 are opposite one another. Further, although the body portion 12 is depicted in fig. 1-3 as being generally oblong in shape, the body portion 12 may have any of a variety of geometric shapesIncluding, but not limited to, arcuate and polygonal shapes, substantially arcuate and polygonal shapes, or a combination of substantially arcuate and polygonal shapes. Furthermore, the long intermediate longitudinal axis A₁And a short intermediate longitudinal axis A₂May be oriented according to a selected shape of the body portion 12, and the corresponding locations of the first end 30, the second end 32, the first side 34, and the second side 36 may be according to the long medial longitudinal axis a, respectively₁And a short intermediate longitudinal axis A₂Is directed. Further, the first end 30, the second end 32, the first side 34, and/or the second side 36 may be portions of the same continuous side of the body portion 12. The plate body portion 12 further includes a lower surface 40, an upper surface 42, and a peripheral surface 44. The lower surface 40 and the upper surface 42 extend between the first end 30, the second end 32, the first side 34, and the second end 36. Further, the peripheral surface 44 extends around the plate portion 12 and traverses the first end 30, the second end 32, the first side 34, and the second side 36. The thickness of the plate body portion 12 between the lower surface 40 and the upper surface 42 may vary, and such varying thicknesses may be seen in the varying heights of the peripheral surface 44. Lower surface 40 may be configured for placement against bone and may be contoured accordingly to conform to the bone.

The plate body portion 12 includes a first aperture 50 and a second aperture 52 positioned adjacent to each other and extending between the lower surface 40 and the upper surface 42. The first aperture 50 includes a first opening 54A in the lower surface 40, a second opening 54B in the upper surface 42, and a central axis a₃And the second aperture 52 includes a first opening 56A in the lower surface 40, a second opening 56B in the upper surface 42, and a central axis a₄. The first and second apertures 50, 52 are configured to receive bone screws (not shown) therein to facilitate attachment of the plating system 10 to bone. To this end, the first and second apertures 50, 52 may include first and second shoulders 60, 62, respectively, to facilitate impacting of bone screws therein to attach the plating system 10 to bone. Furthermore, as depicted in FIG. 3, axis A₃And axis A4 are not aligned with each other and may be relative to axis A₁And/or axis A₂Oriented at compound angles. Thus, bone screws inserted into openings 50 and 52 may be oriented at different anglesIn order to affix the plate body portion 12 (and, therefore, the plate system 10) to the bone.

The throat portion 14 extends upwardly and outwardly from the body portion 12 such that the head portion 16 is spaced from the body portion 12. As depicted in fig. 1-3, the throat portion 14 includes a first end 70, a second end 72, a first side 74, a second side 76, and a central longitudinal axis a extending through the first end 70 and the second end 72₅. Portions of the first and second ends 70, 72 are opposite one another, and portions of the first and second sides 74, 76 are opposite one another. A first end 70 of the throat portion 14 is attached to the plate body portion 12 and a second end 72 of the throat portion 14 is attached to the plate head portion 16. The plate neck portion 14 also includes a lower surface 80, an upper surface 82, a first side surface 84, and a second side surface 86. The upper surface 82 may be continuous with and smoothly transition into the upper surface 42 of the plate body portion 12, and the first side surface 84 (at the first side 74) and the second side surface 86 (at the second side 76) may each be continuous with and smoothly transition into the peripheral surface 44 of the plate body portion 12.

A plate head portion 16 extends outwardly from the plate neck portion 14, and as discussed below, the plate head portion 16 is configured to receive a portion of the screw portion 18 therethrough. The board head portion 16 is spaced from the plate body portion 12 by a throat portion, and the plate body portion 12 and the board head portion 16 may reside in planes substantially parallel to each other. As depicted in fig. 1-3, plate head portion 16 includes a first end 90, a second end 92, a first side 94, a second side 96. Portions of the first and second ends 90, 92 oppose each other and portions of the first and second sides 94, 96 oppose each other. The first end 90 of the plate head portion 16 is attached to the second end 72 of the plate neck portion 14. Plate head portion 16 also includes a lower surface 100, an upper surface 102, a first side surface 104, a second side surface 106, and an end surface 108. The lower surface 100 may be continuous with and smoothly transition into a portion of the lower surface 80 of the throat portion 14, and the upper surface 102 may be continuous with and smoothly transition into a portion of the upper surface 82 of the throat portion 14. Further, the first side surface 104 may be continuous with and smoothly transition into the first side surface 84 of the throat portion 14, and the second side surface 106 may be continuous with and smoothly transition into the second side surface 86 of the throat portion 14.

In addition, plate head portion 16 includes an aperture 110 extending between an opening 112A in lower surface 100 and an opening 112B in upper surface 102. The orifice 110 includes a central axis A₆And includes threads 114 extending along at least a portion thereof between the lower opening 112A and the upper opening 112B. The aperture 110 is configured to receive a portion of the screw portion 18 therein, and the screw portion 18 may be complementarily threaded to engage the threads 114. To facilitate retaining the screw portion 18 relative to the aperture 110, the plate head portion 16 may include a slot 116 extending through the first side surface 104, the second side surface 106, and/or the end surface 108. The slot 116 extends into the board head portion 16 and divides a portion of the board head portion 16 into a lower portion 118A and an upper portion 118B. The slot 116 provides a bend between the lower portion 118A and the upper portion 118B, and such bend serves to create an interference between the threads 114 and the complementary threaded screw portion 18 to prevent movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110, thereby maintaining the screw portion 18 in place relative to the plate head portion 16.

The screw portion 18 includes a screw head portion 20, a screw neck portion 120, a screw rim portion 121, a screw shaft portion 122, threads 124, and a central axis A₇. The screw neck portion 120 engages the screw rim portion 121 and the screw shaft portion 122 to the screw head portion 20. Threads 124 are formed on the bolt shaft portion 122, and the threads 124 are complementary to the threads 114 provided in the bore 110. As discussed below, screw portion 18 is received within aperture 110 such that threads 114 and 124 engage each other, and rotation of screw portion 18 serves to move screw head portion 20 up and down relative to upper surface 102 of plate head portion 16. The screw rim portion 121 acts as a stop which prevents the screw portion 18 from moving downward. The above-discussed bending between the lower portion 118A and the upper portion 118B creates an interference between the threads 114 of the aperture 110 and the threads 124 formed on the bolt shaft portion 122 to prevent movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110. In addition, the peripheral surface 44 includes a recessed portion128 to avoid engagement with the screw portion 18 during rotation thereof.

A tool engagement portion 126 is formed on screw head portion 20 and is configured to engage a surgical tool or instrument for rotating screw portion 18. The tool engaging portion 126 includes six (6) lobes arranged in a generally hexagonal cross-sectional configuration. In some embodiments, the tool engaging portion 126 has any one or more alternative cross-sectional configurations, such as generally polygonal (including generally triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. configurations), elliptical, or irregular. Further, screw head portion 20 also includes an outer surface 130, and as depicted in fig. 1-3, outer surface 130 is generally spherical. The outer surface 130 includes a plurality of ridges 132 disposed adjacent the tool engaging portion 126. Ridge 132 may be used to improve the grip of screw head portion 20 and other surgical instruments such as the receiver disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 15/843,938.

During use of plating system 10, plating system 10 may be attached to a bone, such as a sacrum. The screw portion 18 may be attached to the remainder of the plating system 10 before or after attaching the plating system 10 to the bone. After attaching plate system 10 to the bone, the height of screw head portion 20 relative to upper surface 102 of plate head portion 16 may be adjusted upward and downward by rotation of screw portion 18 using a surgical tool or instrument. Screw head portion 20 is held in place by the bending of lower portion 118A and upper portion 118B. The spacing of the plate head portion 16 from the plate body portion 12 by the plate neck portion 14 and the adjustment of the height of the screw head portion 20 provides for its positioning such that a receiver such as disclosed in U.S. patent No. 15/843,938 may be attached to the screw head portion 20 at an appropriate, recommended, or desired height to facilitate interconnection with additional surgical instruments. If necessary, the height of the screw head portion 20 after attaching this receiver thereto can be adjusted. Additional surgical instruments, such as surgical rods, may be attached to the receivers at appropriate, recommended, or desired heights for fixed interconnection of the spinal rods with the receivers of the pedicle screw assemblies attached to adjacent bony structures (e.g., L5 of the lumbar spine). Thus, spacing of the plate head portion 16 from the plate body portion 12 by the plate neck portion 14 and height adjustment of the screw head portion 20 relative to the plate head portion 16 provides for placement of additional surgical instruments.

A plating system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the numeral 10' in fig. 4 through 6. Plate system 10' is very similar to plate system 10, and the above description and similar element numbers are generally applicable to plate system 10', except that plate system 10' does not include screw rim portion 121, does not include notch 128, and does not include slot 116, for example. The screw portion 18 of the plate system 10' includes a screw neck portion 120 that attaches the screw head 20 directly to a screw shaft portion 122, rather than including a screw rim portion 121. Further, the neck portion 14 of the plating system 10 'includes a lower surface 80', as depicted in fig. 5, rather than including the notch 128. Also, rather than including a slot 116 to prevent movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110 to maintain the screw portion 18 in position relative to the plate head portion 16, the plate system 10' includes a spring (in the form of, for example, a washer) 140 to create interference between the threads 114 of the aperture 110 and the threads 124 formed on the screw shaft portion 122, preventing movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110, and correspondingly maintaining or preferably maintaining the position of the screw head portion 20.

The spring washer 140 includes a lower portion 142, an upper portion 144, a first end portion 146, and a second end portion 148. First end portion 146 and second end portion 148 engage lower portion 142 and upper portion 144 with one another. Further, the lower portion 142 and the upper portion 144 include a first aperture 150 and a second aperture 152, respectively. The first and second apertures 150, 152 are configured to receive the screw shaft portion 122 therethrough.

The first end portion 146 and the second end portion 148 bias the spring washer 140 in the position depicted in fig. 4-6. The first end portion 146 and the second end portion 148 each have a modulus of elasticity and a corresponding spring force that resist deformation of the spring washer 140 by resisting movement of the lower portion 142 and the upper portion 144 toward each other. Thus, when the plate system 10' is assembled, the screw shaft portion 122 is inserted through the first and second apertures 150, 152 and into the aperture 110 such that the lower portion 142 impinges against the upper surface 102 of the plate head portion 16 and the upper portion 144 impinges against the screw head portion 20. Such impact and the spring force of spring washer 140 create interference between threads 114 of aperture 110 and threads 124 formed on bolt shaft portion 122 to prevent movement and play of screw portion 18 in aperture 110 to correspondingly maintain the position of screw head portion 20.

A plating system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the numeral 10 "in fig. 7 through 9. Plate system 10 "is very similar to plate systems 10 and 10', and the above description and similar element numbers are generally applicable to plate system 10". For example, like plating system 10', plating system 10 "does not include screw rim portion 121, does not include notch 128, and does not include slot 116. Further, rather than including slots 116, plating system 10 "includes crenulations 160 extending downwardly from lower surface 100 of plate head portion 16 and surrounding openings 112A in lower surface 100 of plate head portion 16. Crenulations 160 are formed by each protrusion 162 and the space 164 between the protrusions 162. Crenulations 160 are biased in the position depicted in fig. 9, and protrusions 162 each have a modulus of elasticity and a corresponding spring force that resists deformation thereof. When the screw portion 18 is inserted into and through the aperture 110, the projection 162 extends into the path of the screw shaft portion 122 and impinges against the screw shaft portion. The bump 162 impinges against the screw shaft portion 122 causing interference therebetween to prevent movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110 to correspondingly maintain the position of the screw head portion 20.

A plate system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the numeral 10 "' in fig. 10 to 12. Plate system 10 "' is very similar to plate systems 10, 10' and 10" and the above description and similar element numbers may generally apply to plate system 10 "'. For example, like plate systems 10 'and 10 ", plate system 10'" does not include screw rim portion 121, does not include notch 128, and does not include slot 116. Further, rather than including slots 116, plating system 10 "' includes crenulations 170 extending upwardly from upper surface 102 of plate head portion 16 and surrounding openings 112B in upper surface 102 of plate head portion 16. Crenulations 170 are formed by each protrusion 172 and the space 174 between the protrusions 172. Crenulations 170 are biased in the position depicted in fig. 12, and protrusions 172 each have a modulus of elasticity and a corresponding spring force that resists deformation thereof. When the screw portion 18 is inserted into and through the aperture 110, the protrusion 172 extends into the path of the screw shaft portion 122 and impinges against the screw shaft portion. The impact of the protrusion 172 against the screw shaft portion 122 causes interference therebetween to prevent movement and play of the screw portion 18 in the aperture 110 to correspondingly maintain the position of the screw head portion 20.

It is to be understood that the various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than those specifically presented in the description and drawings. It will also be understood that, depending on the example, some acts or events in any of the processes or methods described herein can be performed in a different order, may be added, merged, or left out entirely (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary to implement the described techniques). Additionally, although certain aspects of the disclosure are described as being performed by a single module or unit for clarity, it should be understood that the techniques of the disclosure may be performed by a combination of units or modules associated with, for example, a medical device.