US Patent 8231663 Orthopedic plate

The present invention relates to an orthopedic plate and screw system and instruments for surgical fixation of a small bone or bones including specifically the small bones of the spine. The plate facilitates three dimensional contouring to provide for a variety of applications and to accommodate individual variation in bone shape. The plate has a modified x shape including a central trunk portion including one or more screw holes along a longitudinal axis and a set of divergent upper and an oppositely extending set of divergent lower arms, each arm including screw holes which are placed at a radially equal distance but which diverging asymmetrically from the longitudinal axis relative to its paired upper or lower mate. The screws of the system are self-starting, self-tapping screws including the option of partial or full cannulation. In a further embodiment, the plate is intended for use through the length of the spine.