US Patent 7763056 Cervical compression plate assembly

A cervical compression plate assembly having screw receiving elements at opposite ends that are configured for engaging bone fixation screws extending from respective vertebral elements. The assembly permits the distance between the screw receiving elements at opposite ends to be shortened but prevents the distance from increasing. A spring mechanism is housed within the plate assembly and is configured for continuously urging the screw receiving elements at opposite ends together for thereby providing continuous compressive loading on bone graft material disposed between the vertebral elements.