Revisable anterior cervical plating system

• US 8,858,556 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Stern
• Inventors: Stern, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BATES, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US14/028,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 606/70, 606/71
• US Class Current: 606/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8023 Variable length plates adjustable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

An improved anterior cervical plating system and methods of cervical fusion using such a system are provided. The cervical plating system includes an interlocking mechanism that integrated into each of the plates such that any two plates may cooperatively engage through the interlocking mechanism such that a new cervical plate can be interconnected with a pre-existing plate during revision surgery without removal of the pre-existing plate.

Claims

1. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the first vertebral body, and at least one interlocking portion arranged on the pre-positioned cervical plate;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one armature extending from the revision plate, the at least one armature having a cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to cooperatively engage the at least one interlocking portion of the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates, the stabilizing interconnection being capable of resisting movement of the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate and moving at least a portion of the revision plate in the direction of the second vertebral body, and wherein the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured such that when engaged to the interlocking portion of the pre-positioned cervical plate a portion of the at least one armature is positioned atop a portion of the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one armature positioned atop a portion of the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one revision cervical plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate along a central longitudinal axis thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the interlocking portion the of pre-positioned cervical plate comprises a groove integrally formed into at least one of a distal and proximal end of the body of the pre-positioned cervical plate, and wherein the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate is interlockingly cooperative with said groove.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the groove is slotted, and the at least one armature has a cooperatively interlocking latch integrally formed on a portion thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vertebral anchoring mechanisms comprises at least one vertebral screw.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one vertebral screw is positioned within a recessed hole in each at least one of the cervical plates.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate overlaps at least one vertebral screw when engaged with the pre-positioned plate.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the interlocking portion or cooperative interlocking portions are grooved to provide frictional purchase between the pre-positioned and revision plates.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one armatures comprise two independent and parallel oriented armatures.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one armature is elastically deformable.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion further comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage an indentation disposed on said the pre-positioned cervical plate.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the engagement between the indentation and projection requires elastically deforming a portion of the at least one armature.

14. The system of claim 3, wherein at least an inner edge of the groove defines a radial curve such that the revision plate may be radially adjusted such that the angle between the pre-positioned plate and the revision plate is variable.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein an inner edge of the at least one armature is formed to cooperate with the radial curve of the groove.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the radial curve is one of either concave or convex.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the cervical plates further comprise an opening formed in the body of the cervical plate disposed such that said opening overlaps and allows visual inspection of the disc space between two adjacent vertebra when said cervical plate is anchored a vertebral body.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a second cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and a second interlocking portion of the pre-positioned plate.

19. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the at least one interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

4. The system of dam 3, wherein the groove and at least one armature are formed into a cooperative shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular, triangular or curved.

20. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the first vertebral body, and at least one interlocking portion arranged on the pre-positioned cervical plate;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one armature extending from the revision plate body, the at least one armature having a cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to cooperatively engage the at least one interlocking portion of the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates, the stabilizing interconnection being capable of resisting movement of the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates;

wherein the interlocking portion the of pre-positioned cervical plate comprises a groove integrally formed into at least one of a distal and proximal end of the body of the pre-positioned cervical plate, and wherein the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate is interlockingly cooperative with said groove; and

wherein the groove is slotted, and the at least one armature has a cooperatively interlocking latch integrally formed on a portion thereof; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate and moving positioning the at least one armature within said groove; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one armature positioned atop portion of the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein at least one of the cervical plates further comprise an opening formed in the body of the cervical plate disposed such that said opening overlaps and allows visual inspection of the disc space between two adjacent vertebra when said cervical plate is anchored to a vertebral body.

22. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate defining a pre-positioned plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent at least a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the at least first vertebral body;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent at least a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the at least second vertebral body, and at least one armature extending from the revision plate body, the at least one armature having a cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to overlap and cooperatively engage the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning at least the cooperative interlocking portion of the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate, and wherein the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured such that when engaged to the pre-positioned cervical plate a portion of the at least one armature overlaps a portion of the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the armature overlapping the pre-positioned plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

23. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 22, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the at least one armature further comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

24. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 22, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that a portion of the overlapping portion of the at least one armature is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

25. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 22, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

26. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 25, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and armature form a separate single unitary piece.

27. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 25, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

28. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the first vertebral body, and at least one interlocking portion arranged on the pre-positioned cervical plate;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one armature extending from the revision plate, the at least one armature having a cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to cooperatively engage the at least one interlocking portion of the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning at least a portion of the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate and moving at least a portion of the revision plate in the direction of the second vertebral body, and wherein the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured such that when engaged to the interlocking portion of the pre-positioned cervical plate at least a portion of the at least one armature overlaps the pre-positioned plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one armature overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

29. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 28, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the at least one armature further comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

30. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 28, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that a portion of the overlapping portion of the at least one armature is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

31. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 28, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

33. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 28, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

32. The anterior cervical plating system of dam 28, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and armature form a separate single unitary piece.

36. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the first vertebral body, and at least one interlocking portion arranged on the pre-positioned cervical plate;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to cooperatively engage the at least one interlocking portion of the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning at least the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate, and wherein the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured such that when engaged to the interlocking portion of the pre-positioned cervical plate at least the cooperative interlocking portion overlaps the pre-positioned cervical plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one cooperative interlocking portion overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

37. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 36, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion further comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

38. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 36, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the cooperative interlocking portion is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

40. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 36, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and cooperative interlocking portion form a separate single unitary piece.

41. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 36, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

39. The anterior cervical plating system of dam 36, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

44. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the first vertebral body;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to cooperatively engage the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning a least the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate, and wherein the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured such that when engaged to the pre-positioned cervical pate at least a portion of the revision plate overlaps the pre-positioned plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the revision plate overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

45. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 44, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

46. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 44, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the cooperative interlocking portion is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

48. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 44, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and cooperative interlocking portion form a separate single unitary piece.

49. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 44, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

50. The system of claim 44, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

47. The anterior cervical plating system of dam 44, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

52. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, the at least one pre-positioned cervical plate being adapted to stabilize at least one level of a spine;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one armature extending from the revision plate, the at least one armature having a cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to overlap and cooperatively engage the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning the at least one armature of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one armature overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

53. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 52, wherein the at least one armature comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

54. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 52, wherein the pre-positioned plate Further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the armature is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

55. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 52, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies.

56. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 52, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and cooperative interlocking portion form a separate single unitary piece.

57. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 52, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

59. The system of claim 52, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

60. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate defining a unitary cervical body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach the pre-positioned cervical plate to the first vertebral body, and the at least one pre-positioned cervical plate being adapted to stabilize at least one level of a spine;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to overlap and cooperatively engage the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate and moving a least a portion of the revision plate in the direction of the second vertebral body; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one cooperative interlocking portion overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

61. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 60, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

62. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 60, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the cooperative interlocking portion is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

64. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 60, wherein the pre-positioned plate body is a single unitary piece, and wherein the revision plate body and cooperative interlocking portion form a separate single unitary piece.

65. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 60, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

66. The system of claim 60, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

67. The system of claim 60, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

63. The anterior cervical plating system of dam 60, wherein the pre-positioned plate is adapted to overlap at least two vertebral bodies.

68. An anterior cervical plating system comprising:

at least one pre-positioned cervical plate defining a unitary cervical plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent at least two vertebral bodies, at least two vertebral anchoring mechanisms configured to attach the pre-positioned cervical plate to the at least two vertebral bodies, the at least one pre-positioned cervical plate being adapted to stabilize at least one level of a spine;

at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, wherein at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is configured to be disposed adjacent a second vertebral body, at least a second vertebral anchoring mechanism configured to attach to the second vertebral body, and at least one cooperative interlocking portion disposed thereon;

wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate is configured to overlap and cooperatively engage the pre-positioned plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates; and

wherein the engagement between the pre-positioned and revision cervical plates is initially formed by positioning the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate above the upper horizontal face of the pre-positioned cervical plate; and

wherein no threaded connector passes through the portion of the at least one cooperative interlocking portion overlapping the pre-positioned cervical plate in permanently securing the stabilizing interconnection.

69. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 68, wherein the at least one cooperative interlocking portion comprises a projection configured to cooperatively engage a cooperative structure on the pre-positioned cervical plate.

71. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 68, wherein the revision plate body and cooperative interlocking portion form a separate single unitary piece.

72. The anterior cervical plating system of claim 68, wherein the stabilizing interconnection between the pre-positioned and revision plates is adapted to span the disc space between at least two vertebral bodies, thereby stabilizing at least one level of the spine.

73. The system of claim 68, wherein the system further comprises at least a second revision cervical plate interconnected with the pre-positioned cervical plate opposite the first revision cervical plate through a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate and one of the at least one interlocking portions of the pre-positioned plate.

74. The system of claim 68, wherein each of the at least one revision plates also include at least one interlocking portion arranged on the body of the revision cervical plate;

and

wherein at least a second revision cervical plate is interconnected to the first revision cervical plate opposite the pre-positioned cervical plate through the interlocking portion of the first revision cervical plate and a cooperative interlocking portion of the second revision cervical plate.

70. The anterior cervical plating system of dam 68, wherein the pre-positioned plate further comprises a groove along its central longitudinal axis disposed such that at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the cooperative interlocking portion is positioned within said groove when the revision and pre-positioned plates are engaged.

75. A method of revising an anterior cervical plating system comprising:

providing at least a first cervical pate defining a first unitary cervical plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces, and disposing the at least first cervical plate such that at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is disposed adjacent at least first and second vertebral bodies;

anchoring at least a first vertebral anchoring mechanism to the first cervical plate such that the first cervical plate stabilizes at least one level of the spine;

providing at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having at least one cooperative interlocking means disposed thereon, the at least one cooperative interlocking portion configured to cooperatively engage the at least first cervical plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection therewith;

positioning the cooperative interlocking means above the at least first cervical plate and engaging the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate with said at least first cervical plate such that at least a portion of the revision cervical plate overlaps the at least first cervical plate thereby forming a stabilizing interconnection therebetween; and

anchoring the at least one revision cervical plate to a third vertebral body such that no threaded connector passes through the portion of the revision plate overlapping the at least first cervical plate.

76. A method of revising an anterior cervical plating system comprising:

surgically exposing at least a first cervical plate defining a first cervical plate body having upper and lower horizontal faces within the body of the patient the at least first cervical plate being disposed within the patient such that at least a portion of the lower horizontal face is disposed adjacent a first vertebral body, the first cervical plate being anchored to the first vertebral body via at least first vertebral anchoring mechanism such that the least one pre-positioned cervical plate stabilizes at least one level of the spine;

providing at least one revision cervical plate defining a revision plate body having at least one cooperative interlocking means disposed thereon, the at least one cooperative interlocking portion configured to cooperatively engage the at least first cervical plate to provide a stabilizing interconnection between two adjacent plates;

positioning the cooperative interlocking means above the at least first cervical plate and engaging the cooperative interlocking portion of the revision cervical plate with said at least first cervical plate such that at least a portion of the revision cervical plate overlaps the at least first cervical plate thereby forming a stabilizing interconnection therebetween; and

anchoring the at least one revision cervical plate to a second vertebral body such that no threaded connector passes through the portion of the revision plate overlapping the at least first cervical plate.