Facet lamina plate system

Abstract

An apparatus for securing facet joints of a spine of a patient is provided. The apparatus may include a first connection device configured to be positioned directly through a first facet joint of the spine of the patient. Additionally, the apparatus may include a second connection device configured to be positioned directly through a second facet joint of the spine of the patient. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a plate configured to engage the first and second connection devices after the first and second connection devices are positioned through the first and second facet joints respectively. The plate may include a first slot configured to engage the first connection device and a second slot configured to engage the second connection device. The first slot may be perpendicular to the second slot, and the first slot may be perpendicular to a long axis of the spine of the patient.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for securing facet joints of a spine of a patient, the system comprising:
 a first screw configured to be positioned through a first facet joint of the spine of the patient;   a second screw configured to be positioned through a second facet joint of the spine of the patient; and   a plate configured to engage the first and second screws after the first and second screws are positioned through the first and second facet joints respectively, the plate comprising:
 a first slot comprising an opening extending to an edge of the plate and configured to engage the first screw after the first screw is positioned through the first facet joint; and 
 a second slot comprising an opening extending to an edge of the plate and configured to engage the second screw after the second screw is positioned through the second facet joint, wherein the first slot is perpendicular to the second slot and the first slot is perpendicular to a long axis of the spine of the patient. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plate is configured to extend up over the lamina of the spine and engage a spinous process of the spine when the plate is engaged with the first and second screws. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second screws each include a head located at distal ends of the first and second screws, wherein each head enables the plate to be secured to the first and second screws when the plate is engaged. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein each head is wider than the first and second slots of the plate. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein each head is configured to be flush with a surface of the plate when the plate is engaged with the first and second screws. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second screws each include a head located at distal ends of the first and second screws, wherein each head is shaped such that when the plate is engaged with the first and second screws, a portion of the head of the first screw rests on a pair of indentations adjacent to the first slot and a portion of the head of the second screw rests on a pair of indentations adjacent to the second slot. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plate is configured to extend over the spinous process and have a U-shaped structure.