Vertical inline plate

Abstract

A spinal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to contact bone. A plurality of holes extend from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate which is configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone. The lower surface of the spinal plate comprises a ridge that protrudes from the underside of the plate and encloses the plurality of holes spaced inward from the perimeter of the spinal plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal plate comprising:
 a plate body having a first end and a second end and an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is adapted to contact bone; and   a plurality of holes extending from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone,   wherein the plate body includes a sidewall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the sidewall comprises at least a first depression and a second depression, wherein the first depression is positioned adjacent the first end of the plate body and the second depression is positioned adjacent the second end of the plate body.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes comprise at least a first hole, a second hole and a third hole adapted to receive bone fasteners therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal plate of  claim 2 , wherein the sidewall further includes a third depression, wherein along a longitudinal axis, the first depression aligns with the first hole, the second depression aligns with the second hole and the third depression aligns with the third hole. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate body is contoured in two directions. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein a set screw is positioned next to each of the plurality of holes, wherein the set screw is designed to prevent back out of a bone fastener received in a respective hole. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes comprise at least a first hole, a second hole and a third hole, and wherein a first set screw is positioned adjacent the first hole, a second set screw is positioned adjacent the second hole, and a third set screw is positioned adjacent the third hole. 
     
     
         7 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate body comprises a first window and a second window. 
     
     
         8 . The spinal plate of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises a first hole, a second hole and a third hole, and wherein the first window is positioned between the first hole and the second hole, and the second window is positioned between the second hole and the third hole. 
     
     
         9 . The spinal plate of  claim 7 , wherein the first window is of a different size and shape from the second window. 
     
     
         10 . The spinal plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate body has a length between 18 and 54 millimeters. 
     
     
         11 . A spinal plate comprising:
 a plate body having a first end and a second end and an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is adapted to contact bone; and   a first hole and a second hole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone,   wherein the plate body includes a sidewall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the sidewall comprises at least a first depression and a second depression, wherein the first depression is aligned with the first hole and the second depression is aligned with the second hole along a longitudinal axis of the plate body.   
     
     
         12 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the plate body is between about 18 millimeters to 54 millimeters in length and is formed of titanium. 
     
     
         13 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the plate body is contoured in two directions. 
     
     
         14 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , further comprising a third hole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface configured and adapted to receive a bone fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the plate body includes a ridge that extends around an edge of the lower surface of the plate. 
     
     
         16 . The spinal plate of  claim 15 , wherein the plate body and the ridge are formed of titanium. 
     
     
         17 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the plate body further comprises a first window and a second window. 
     
     
         18 . The spinal plate of  claim 17 , further comprising a third hole for receiving a bone fastener, wherein the first window is positioned between the first hole and the second hole and the second window is positioned between the second hole and the third hole. 
     
     
         19 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the first depression is positioned adjacent the first end of the plate body and the second depression is positioned adjacent the second end of the plate body. 
     
     
         20 . The spinal plate of  claim 11 , wherein the plate body is contoured in at least one direction, and wherein the plate body is formed of titanium.