Hybrid spinal plates

Abstract

Various spinal plating systems for use in treating spinal pathologies are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, the spinal plating systems can be configured to allow a surgeon to select a bone screw construct having a particular range of motion for attaching a spinal plate to bone as needed based on the intended use. In one exemplary embodiment, the spinal plating system includes a first bone screw that is polyaxially movable relative to the spinal plate, and a second bone screw that has a range of motion that is substantially limited to a single plane.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A spinal plate, comprising:
 a spinal plate having at least one thru-bore, the at least one thru-bore being configured to:   receive a first bone engaging fastener such that, when a head portion of the first bone engaging fastener is seated in the thru-bore, a shank portion of the first bone engaging fastener is polyaxially movable with respect to the spinal plate; and   receive a second bone engaging fastener such that, when a head portion of the second bone engaging fastener is seated in the thru-bore, a shank portion of the second bone engaging fastener is substantially limited to motion in a single plane with respect to the spinal plate.   
     
     
         21 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one thru-bore comprises a proximal inner wall and a distal inner wall that differ in shape from one another. 
     
     
         22 . The plate of  claim 21 , wherein the proximal inner wall is substantially symmetrical about a common axis of the thru-bore and the distal inner wall is substantially asymmetrical about the common axis. 
     
     
         23 . The plate of  claim 21 , wherein the proximal inner wall is spherical and the distal inner wall is oblong. 
     
     
         24 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the thru-bore is formed in an insert disposed within the plate. 
     
     
         25 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the thru-bore permits angulation of the first bone engaging fastener up to 10 to 20 degrees in any direction. 
     
     
         26 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the thru-bore permits angulation of the second bone engaging fastener only up to 5 degrees in a first direction and up to 5 degrees in a second, opposite direction. 
     
     
         27 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one thru-bore comprises a plurality of thru-bores. 
     
     
         28 . The plate of  claim 20 , wherein the plate is configured to span a plurality of vertebral levels. 
     
     
         29 . The plate of  claim 20 , further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing backout of the first or second bone engaging fastener. 
     
     
         30 . The plate of  claim 29 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam that is rotatable relative to the plate between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the cam is forced against a head of a bone engaging fastener seated in the thru-bore. 
     
     
         31 . The plate of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one thru-bore comprises a plurality of thru-bores and wherein the plate further comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms, each locking mechanism being configured to selectively lock a fastener seated in a corresponding one of the plurality of thru-bores. 
     
     
         32 . A spinal plating system, comprising:
 a spinal plate having a thru-bore, the thru-bore including a spherical proximal portion and an oblong distal portion and being configured to interchangeably receive variable angle bone screws and limited angle bone screws;   a variable angle bone screw having a spherical head with a shank extending therefrom, the variable angle bone screw being polyaxially movable with respect to the spinal plate when the variable angle bone screw is seated in the thru-bore; and   a limited angle bone screw having a head with a spherical proximal portion and a cylindrical distal portion and a shank extending therefrom, the limited angle bone screw being movable only in a single plane with respect to the spinal plate when the limited angle bone screw is seated in the thru-bore.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the thru-bore is formed in an insert disposed within the plate. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the thru-bore permits angulation of the variable angle bone screw up to 10 to 20 degrees in any direction. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the thru-bore permits angulation of the limited angle bone screw only up to 5 degrees in a first direction and up to 5 degrees in a second, opposite direction. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing backout of the variable angle bone screw or the limited angle bone screw. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam that is rotatable relative to the spinal plate between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the cam is forced against a head of a bone screw seated in the thru-bore.