SYSTEM FOR STABILIZING A PORTION OF THE SPINE

摘要

A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate (21) attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument (500,800) is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.The plate may have a visualization opening (60) which either includes at least one convexly curved side wall (62) or is wider than the combined width of the first and second members (61,63) either side of the opening, or may be formed partially of translucent material. The holding instrument may incorporate guide (570) and alignment (840) mechanisms for drilling, taping and screw insertion.