Retaining mechanism

Abstract

A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum, a retaining element and a spring element. The stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to engage the retaining element such that the spring element helps maintain the retaining element in its second position so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A retaining mechanism comprising:
 a stratum comprising a hole and a recess; and   a retaining element positioned within the recess, the retaining element being rotatable relative to the stratum between a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole.   
     
     
         22 . The mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising a spring element configured to engage the stratum and the retaining element such that the spring element maintains the retaining element in the second position so as to prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole. 
     
     
         23 . The mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the spring element is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the hole when the retaining element moves between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         24 . The mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the spring element has a substantially linear configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the spring element has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         26 . The mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the stratum comprises a second recess that extends into a thickness of the stratum, the spring element being positioned within a second recess. 
     
     
         27 . The mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the retaining element comprises a cut-out such that when the retaining element is in the second position, the cut-out engages the spring element so as to help maintain the retaining element in the second position. 
     
     
         28 . The mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising the fastener. 
     
     
         29 . The mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the retaining element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the recess. 
     
     
         30 . The mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the retaining element comprises a first leg and a second leg such that when the retaining element is in the second position, a portion of one of the legs partially overlaps the hole. 
     
     
         31 . The mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the retaining element comprises a tab and the stratum comprises a channel that is in communication with the recess, the tab being movably disposed in the channel as the retaining element moves between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         32 . The mechanism of  claim 31 , wherein the tab is positioned at a first end of the channel when the retaining element is in the first position and the tab is positioned at a second end of the channel when the retaining element is in the second position. 
     
     
         33 . A retaining mechanism comprising:
 a stratum comprising a hole;   a retaining element coupled to the stratum, the retaining element being rotatable relative to the stratum between a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole; and   a spring element configured to engage the stratum and the retaining element such that the spring element maintains the retaining element in the second position so as to prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.   
     
     
         34 . The mechanism of  claim 33 , wherein the spring element is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the hole when the retaining element moves between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         35 . The mechanism of  claim 33 , wherein the retaining element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the hole. 
     
     
         36 . The mechanism of  claim 33 , wherein the retaining element comprises a tab and the stratum comprises a channel, the tab being movably disposed in the channel as the retaining element moves between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         37 . The mechanism of  claim 36 , wherein the tab is positioned at a first end of the channel when the retaining element is in the first position and the tab is positioned at a second end of the channel when the retaining element is in the second position. 
     
     
         38 . The mechanism of  claim 33 , wherein the retaining element comprises a first leg and a second leg such that when the retaining element is in the second position, a portion of one of the legs partially overlaps the hole. 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating spinal disorder comprising:
 providing a retaining mechanism comprising:
 a stratum comprising a hole and a recess that surrounds the hole, and 
 a retaining element positioned within the recess; 
 passing a fastener through the hole when the retaining element is in a first position; and 
   rotating the retaining element relative to the stratum from the first position to a second position such that the retaining element at least partially overlaps the fastener.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein rotating the retaining element comprises rotating the retaining element about a longitudinal axis defined by the hole.