Importance

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Abstract

A modular spinal plate assembly for use with modular polyaxial pedicle screw implant devices includes a track portion having a pair of parallel rails and a multiplicity of compressible coupling elements which are slideably mounted about the rails. The compressible coupling elements each have a through hole through which a post portion of a modular polyaxial screw may be mounted. In addition, the coupling elements include slots, oppositely oriented, on either side of the element, which slots may be compressed to effectuate the deflection and compaction of the coupling element when a compressive load is applied. This load is applied by a top locking nut being advanced along the post portion of the modular polyaxial pedicle screw, downwardly onto the coupling element. The subsequent compaction causes the coupling element to be compression locked to the rails, thereby becoming rigidly fixed at a specific position along the axial extent of the track element. Multiple post portions of sequential pedicle screws are coupled to the same track element via multiple coupling elements to effectuate the relative immobilization of a sequence of vertebral bones.

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First Claim