Metal plates may be used to stabilize the cervical spine. The plates are attached to the posterior of the vertebra by placing screws into the lateral masses. The plating may be extended, in the form of rod or plate, to connect with and support the occiput. Several problems, such as screw loosening and the plate obscuring the surgeon's view as a screw is being inserted, have been identified with present plate systems. This paper describes the initial design for a cervical fixation device to overcome these problems, and the design and development that was undertaken to enable a prototype device to be manufactured.
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