Methods and apparatus for providing a retainer for a bone stabilization device

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plate having first and second spaced apart surfaces and at least first and second apertures extending through the surfaces of the plate, each aperture for receiving a respective fixation element for coupling the plate to one or more bones of a patient; and

at least one retention element having an elongate member coupled to the plate at least at a first end, a plurality of intermediate positions, and a second end thereof, wherein:

the plurality of intermediate positions of the elongate member include at least a first intermediate position and a second intermediate position that are fixed in position,

the elongate member, between the first end and the first intermediate position, extends along the first surface of the plate,

the elongate member, between the first and second intermediate positions, extends along the second surface of the plate,

the elongate member, between the second intermediate position and the second end, extends along the second surface of the plate, and

the first and second ends of the elongate member are operable to rotate about the respective first and second intermediate positions such that:

(i) at least first and second portions of the elongate member overlie portions of the first and second apertures, respectively, when the respective first and second ends are in one or more first rotational positions, respectively, to retain respective fixation elements in the first and second apertures, and

(ii) the first and second portions of the elongate member do not substantially overlie the first and second apertures, respectively, when the first and second ends are in one or more second rotational positions, respectively, to permit the fixation elements to enter or exit the first and second apertures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is formed from a contiguous piece of wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least first and second slots disposed at the first and second ends of the elongate member, respectively, each slot extending from the first surface and at least partially through the plate, wherein the first and second ends of the elongate member are slidingly engaged in the first and second slots, respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:

the first and second slots extend longitudinally along respective arcs, the arcs having fulcrums substantially where the first and second intermediate positions, respectively, connect to the plate; and

the first and second ends of the elongate member slide along the arcs, respectively, as they rotate between the first and second rotational positions.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein:

the first and second slots extend through the plate from the first surface to the second surface; and

the apparatus further comprises first and second recesses extending from the second surface of the plate toward the first surface thereof, and each communicating with one of the first and second slots, such that the first and second ends of the elongate member slidingly engage the first and second recesses, respectively, as they rotate.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

a first length of each of the first and second ends of the elongate member extends transversely from the portion thereof overlying the respective first and second apertures as it passes through the respective first and second slot; and

a second length of each of the first and second ends of the elongate member extend transversely from the first length to engage the respective first and second recesses such that the first and second ends of the elongate member cannot disengage from the first and second slots.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:

the elongate member, between the first end and the first intermediate position, extends along the first surface of the plate;

the elongate member, between the first and second intermediate positions, extends along the second surface of the plate; and

the elongate member, between the second intermediate position and the second end, extends along the second surface of the plate.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the elongate member is formed from a contiguous piece of wire.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plate is of a length sufficient to extend over a plurality of intervertebral spaces of a spine of the patient and includes at least one further aperture, and associated retention element, at respective longitudinal positions thereof for coupling the plate to respective vertebral bones of the patient.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a plate having first and second spaced apart surfaces and at least first and second apertures extending through the surfaces of the plate, each aperture for receiving a respective fixation element for coupling the plate to one or more bones of a patient;

at least one retention element having an elongate member coupled to the plate at least at a first end, a plurality of intermediate positions, and a second end thereof, wherein the plurality of intermediate positions of the elongate member include at least a first intermediate position and a second intermediate position that are fixed in position; and

at least first and second slots disposed at the first and second ends of the elongate member, respectively, each slot extending from the first surface and at least partially through the plate, and each slot extending longitudinally along respective arcs, the arcs having fulcrums substantially where the first and second intermediate positions, respectively, connect to the plate, wherein:

the first and second ends of the elongate member are operable to rotate about the respective first and second intermediate positions such that:

(i) at least first and second portions of the elongate member overlie portions of the first and second apertures, respectively, when the respective first and second ends are in one or more first rotational positions, respectively, to retain respective fixation elements in the first and second apertures,

(ii) the first and second portions of the elongate member do not substantially overlie the first and second apertures, respectively, when the first and second ends are in one or more second rotational positions, respectively, to permit the fixation elements to enter or exit the first and second apertures, and

(iii) the first and second ends of the elongate member are slidingly engaged in the first and second slots, respectively, such that the first and second ends of the elongate member slide along the arcs, respectively, as they rotate between the first and second rotational positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:

the first and second slots extend through the plate from the first surface to the second surface; and

the apparatus further comprises first and second recesses extending from the second surface of the plate toward the first surface thereof, and each communicating with one of the first and second slots, such that the first and second ends of the elongate member slidingly engage the first and second recesses, respectively, as they rotate.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:

a first length of each of the first and second ends of the elongate member extends transversely from the portion thereof overlying the respective first and second apertures as it passes through the respective first and second slot; and

a second length of each of the first and second ends of the elongate member extend transversely from the first length to engage the respective first and second recesses such that the first and second ends of the elongate member cannot disengage from the first and second slots.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:

the elongate member, between the first end and the first intermediate position, extends along the first surface of the plate;

the elongate member, between the first and second intermediate positions, extends along the second surface of the plate; and

the elongate member, between the second intermediate position and the second end, extends along the second surface of the plate.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the elongate member is formed from a contiguous piece of wire.