System and method for securing a plate to the spinal column

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a drill guide and methods of using a drill guide with a plate having at least one slotted hole extending therethrough. The drill guide positions a bone engaging fastener away from the ends of the slot, allowing compression or distraction of the bony segment to which the plate is attached.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for securing a plate to a portion of the spinal column, the spinal column portion including an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the method comprising:
 providing a plate having a central axis extending between the upper and lower vertebra, the plate including at least one slot extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the plate, the slot extending in the direction of the central axis between a first end and an opposite second;   placing the plate on the spinal column portion with the slot over the upper vertebra;   positioning a drill guide on the plate, the drill guide having an offset portion positionable in the slot against the first end of the slot; and   drilling a hole through the drill guide, wherein the offset portion of the drill guide spaces the adjacent edge of the drilled hole from the first end of the slot.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 inserting a bone engaging fastener in the drilled hole, wherein the bone engaging fastener is spaced a distance from the first end of the slot; and   applying a compression load to the spinal column portion with a compression tool to position the bone engaging fastener more towards the second end of the slot.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 inserting a bone engaging fastener into the drilled hole, wherein the bone engaging fastener is spaced a distance from the firstend of the slot; and   allowing movement of the bone engaging fastener towards the first end of the slot in response to extension of the portion of the spinal column.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the distance is based on a desired amount of extension of the portion of the spinal column. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the distance is 1 millimeter or more. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising fixing the plate to the lower vertebrae. 
     
     
         27 . A method for securing a plate to a portion of the spinal column, the spinal column portion including an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the method comprising:
 providing a plate for stabilizing the spine, the plate having a front and back surfaces and a plurality of pairs of fixation openings extending between the front and back surfaces, wherein the back surface is adapted to contact the spine;   placing the plate on the spinal column portion such that a first pair of fixation openings are positioned on opposing sides of a longitudinally oriented center line of the plate, wherein the first pair of fixation openings is configured in the form of an elongated slot oriented in a longitudinal direction of the plate, and includes a bore, a flared portion, and a ramp extending therebetween;   placing at least one washer along the front surface of the fixation openings; and   placing a bone anchoring screw into each fixation opening through the washer to fix the plate to the spine, wherein one of the bone anchoring screws provides a camming action along the ramp, which causes a compression lead to be applied to the spine.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the at least one washer translates by being slidably movable between a locked position, in which the bone anchoring screws are locked within the fixation openings, and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the bone achoring screws are countersunk in the fixation openings when threaded into the spine.