referring to fig1 , fig2 and fig3 , an anterior one - level fixed cervical fusion system 90 includes a top loading , one - level fixed cervical plate 100 that connects two adjacent vertebras 82 and 84 . the fixed cervical plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 and 84 via four screws 130 a , 130 b and 130 c , 130 d , respectively . the fixed cervical plate 100 has an hourglass shape and an hourglass shaped aperture 102 centered in the middle of the plate 100 . aperture 102 provides visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 and disc 62 below the plate 100 . plate 100 also has four holes 162 a , 162 b , 162 c and 162 d located in the four corners of the plate . holes 162 a , 162 b , 62 c , 162 d are dimensioned to receive the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , respectively . referring to fig4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 4 d , the process for attaching the plate 100 to the adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 includes the following steps . first , four k - wires 140 a , 140 b and 140 c , 140 d are inserted into the vertebras 82 and 84 , respectively ( 182 ). next , four screws 130 a , 130 b and 130 c , 130 d are driven into the vertebras 82 and 84 , respectively , using the four k - wires 140 a , 140 b , and 140 c , 140 d , as guides respectively ( 184 ). each screw has a threaded body 131 , a flange 132 on top of the threaded body 131 and a threaded post 133 extending upwards from the flange 132 . the threaded body 131 is driven into the vertebra while the flange 132 and the threaded post 133 remain above the vertebra . next , the four holes 162 a , 162 b , 162 c , 162 d of the plate 100 are aligned with the four threaded posts 133 a , 133 b , 133 c , 133 d , respectively , and the plate 100 is top - loaded onto the screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d and lands onto the screw flanges 132 a , 132 b , 132 c , 132 d ( 186 ). the diameter of the screw flanges 132 a - 132 d is larger than the diameter of holes 162 a - 162 d , respectively , and the diameter of the screw posts 133 a - 133 d is smaller than the diameter of holes 162 a - 162 d , respectively . this geometric dimensioning allows the screw posts to pass through the plate holes while the plate stays on top of the flanges . finally , four locking nuts 160 a , 160 b , 160 c , 160 d are screwed onto the threaded posts 133 a , 133 b , 133 c , 133 d , respectively , thereby securing the plate 100 onto the screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d ( 188 ). in one example , plate 100 has a height 91 of 30 mm , a width 93 of 17 mm and the aperture 102 has a height 92 of 15 mm , as shown in fig5 . the plate 100 may be made of metal such as stainless steel or titanium , plastic , bioabsorbable material and ceramic . referring to fig6 and fig7 , an anterior one - level pivoting cervical fusion system 80 includes a top loading , one - level pivoting cervical plate 100 that connects two adjacent vertebras 82 and 84 . the pivoting cervical plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 and 84 via four screws 130 a , 130 b and 130 c , 130 d , respectively . the pivoting cervical plate 100 , includes a triangular shaped top subplate 110 and a triangular shaped bottom subplate 120 . the top subplate 110 is closest to the head of the patient and has an apex 111 facing down toward the bottom subplate 120 . the bottom subplate 110 is closest to the patient &# 39 ; s feet and has an apex 121 facing up toward the top subplate 110 . the apex 111 of the top subplate 110 is pivotably connected to the apex 121 of the bottom subplate 120 at point 150 , via a pivoting pin 152 that protrudes from the top surface of the apex 111 of the top subplate 110 . the bottom subplate 120 has a hole 153 formed at the apex 121 for receiving the pivoting pin 152 . a pivot cap 154 secures the top subplate 120 onto the pivot pin 152 while allowing the two subplates 110 , 120 to pivot relative to each other counterclockwise 155 a and clockwise 155 b by a few degrees , as shown in fig8 a , and fig8 b , respectively . each of the top and bottom subplates 110 , 120 , has two holes 162 a , 162 b and 162 c , 162 d , respectively , at the two corners opposite their respective apexes 111 , 121 . holes 162 a , 162 b , 162 c , 162 d are dimensioned to receive the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , respectively . the subplates 110 , 120 are top loaded onto the posts of the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , and are secured onto the flanges of the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , with four locking nuts 160 a , 160 b , 160 c , 160 d , respectively , as described in fig4 d . the triangular subplates 110 , 120 have central apertures 112 , 122 , that provide visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 and disc 62 below them . referring to fig9 , fig1 and fig1 a , an anterior one - level dynamic stabilization system 70 includes a top loading , one - level dynamic plate 100 that connects two adjacent vertebras 82 and 84 , shown in fig6 . the dynamic plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 and 84 via four screws 130 a , 130 b and 130 c , 130 d , respectively . the dynamic cervical plate 100 , includes a triangular shaped top subplate 110 and a triangular shaped bottom subplate 120 . the top subplate 110 slides down and pivots relative to the bottom subplate 120 via a ratchet and pivot mechanism 155 , respectively . the top subplate 110 is closest to the head of the patient and has an apex 111 facing down toward the bottom subplate 120 . the bottom subplate 110 is closest to the patient &# 39 ; s feet and has an apex 121 facing up toward the top subplate 110 . the apex 111 of the top subplate 110 is pivotably connected to the apex 121 of the bottom subplate 120 at point 155 , via a pivoting pin 152 that protrudes from the top surface of the apex 111 of the top subplate 110 , shown in fig7 . the bottom subplate 120 has an elongated hole 153 formed at the apex 121 for receiving the pivoting pin 152 , shown in fig1 a and fig1 b . the elongated hole 153 includes a ratchet mechanism for providing the sliding motion of the top subplate 110 relative to the bottom subplate 120 . the ratchet mechanism allows for one - way movement 156 of the top subplate 110 toward the bottom subplate 120 , shown in fig1 a and fig1 b . in one example , the sliding movement has a span of 2 mm at 0 . 03 mm increments . in this embodiment , the bottom subplate 120 is not able to slide relative to the top subplate 110 . a ratchet cap 151 secures the ratchet mechanism and the top subplate 120 onto the pivot pin 152 while allowing the two subplates 110 , 120 to pivot relative to each other counterclockwise 155 a and clockwise 155 b by a few degrees , as shown in fig1 a , and fig1 b , respectively . each of the top and bottom subplates 110 , 120 , has two holes 162 a , 162 b and 162 c , 162 d , respectively , at the two corners opposite their respective apexes 111 , 121 . holes 162 a , 162 b , 62 c , 162 d are dimensioned to receive the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , respectively . the subplates 110 , 120 are top loaded onto the posts of the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , and are secured onto the flanges of the four screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , with four locking nuts 160 a , 160 b , 160 c , 160 d , respectively . the triangular subplates 110 , 120 have central apertures 112 , 122 , that provide visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 and disc 62 below them . referring to fig1 and fig1 , an anterior two - level fixed cervical fusion system 60 includes a top loading , two - level fixed cervical plate 100 that connects three adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 , and 86 . the fixed cervical plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 , 84 and 86 via six screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , 130 e , and 130 f . the fixed cervical plate 100 has a shape of two adjacent hourglasses that are merged together . the plate 100 has two hourglass shaped apertures 105 , 106 centered in the top and bottom of the plate 100 . apertures 105 , 106 provide visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 , 86 and disc 62 below the plate 100 . plate 100 also has six holes 162 a , 162 b , 162 c , 162 d , 162 e and 162 f located in the four corners and center of the plate . holes 162 a , 162 b , 62 c , 162 d , 162 e , 162 f are dimensioned to receive the six screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , 130 e , 130 f , respectively . six locking nuts 160 a , 160 b , 160 c , 160 d , 160 e , 160 g are screwed onto the threaded posts of the screws , thereby securing the plate 100 onto the screws . the process of attaching the plate 100 to the adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 , 86 is as described above . referring to fig1 and fig1 , an anterior two - level pivoting cervical fusion system 200 includes a top loading , two - level pivoting cervical plate 100 that connects three adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 , and 86 . the pivoting cervical plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 , 84 and 86 via six screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d , 130 e , and 130 f . the pivoting cervical plate 100 , includes a triangular shaped top plate 220 a , a diamond shaped middle subplate 210 and a triangular shaped bottom plate 220 b . the top subplate 220 a pivots relative to the middle subplate 210 around pivot point 255 a . the bottom subplate 220 b pivots relative to the middle subplate 210 around pivot point 255 b . the top subplate 220 a is closest to the head of the patient and has an apex facing down towards the top apex of the middle subplate 210 . the bottom subplate 220 b is closest to the patient &# 39 ; s feet and has an apex facing up toward the bottom apex of the middle subplate 210 . the apex of the top subplate 220 a is pivotably connected to the top apex of the middle subplate 210 at point 255 a . the apex of the bottom subplate 220 b is pivotably connected to the bottom apex of the middle subplate 210 at point 255 b . the pivoting mechanism is similar to the mechanism in fig6 and it allows the top and bottom subplates 220 a , 220 b to pivot relative to the middle subplate 210 counterclockwise and clockwise by a few degrees . each of the top and bottom subplates 220 a , 220 b , has two holes 262 a , 262 b and 262 e , 262 f , respectively , at the two corners opposite their respective apexes , and the middle subplate 210 has two holes 262 c , 262 d in its middle corners . holes 262 a , 262 b , 262 c , 262 d , 262 e , 262 f are dimensioned to receive six screws 230 a , 230 b , 230 c , 230 d , 230 e , 230 f , respectively . the subplates 220 a , 220 b , 210 are top loaded onto the posts of the screws and are secured onto the flanges of the screws with locking nuts 260 a , 260 b , 260 c , 260 d , 260 e , 260 f , respectively . the triangular subplates 220 a , 220 b have central apertures 213 a , 213 b and the middle subplate 210 has two central apertures 212 a , 212 b , that provide visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 , 86 and discs below them . the process of attaching the plate 100 to the adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 , 86 is as described above . referring to fig1 and fig1 , an anterior two - level dynamic stabilization system 205 includes a top loading , two - level dynamic cervical plate 100 that connects three adjacent vertebras 82 , 84 , and 86 . the dynamic cervical plate 100 is attached to the vertebras 82 , 84 and 86 via six screws 230 a , 230 b , 230 c , 230 d , 230 e , and 230 f the dynamic cervical plate 100 , includes a triangular shaped top plate 220 a , a diamond shaped middle subplate 210 and a triangular shaped bottom plate 220 b . the top subplate 220 a slides and pivots relative to the middle subplate 210 around pivot point 250 a via a ratchet and pivot mechanism , as described above in fig9 . the bottom subplate 220 b slides and pivots relative to the middle subplate 210 around pivot point 250 b via a ratchet and pivot mechanism as described for the embodiment of fig9 . the top subplate 220 a is closest to the head of the patient and has an apex facing down toward the top apex of the middle subplate 210 . the bottom subplate 220 b is closest to the patient &# 39 ; s feet and has an apex facing up toward the bottom apex of the middle subplate 210 . the apex of the top subplate 220 a is slidably and pivotably connected to the top apex of the middle subplate 210 at point 255 a . the apex of the bottom subplate 220 b is slidably and pivotably connected to the bottom apex of the middle subplate 210 at point 255 b . the ratchet and pivoting mechanism is similar to the mechanism in fig9 and it allows the top and bottom subplates 220 a , 220 b to slide by about 2 mm and pivot relative to the middle subplate 210 counterclockwise and clockwise by a few degrees . each of the top and bottom subplates 220 a , 220 b , has two holes 262 a , 262 b and 262 e , 162 f , respectively , at the two corners opposite their respective apexes , and the middle subplate 210 has two holes 262 c , 262 d in its middle corners . holes 262 a , 262 b , 262 c , 162 d , 262 e , 262 f are dimensioned to receive six screws 230 a , 230 b , 230 c , 230 d , 230 e , 230 f , respectively . the subplates 220 a , 220 b , 210 are top loaded onto the posts of the screws and are secured onto the flanges of the screws with locking nuts 260 a , 260 b , 260 c , 260 d , 260 e , 260 f , respectively . the triangular subplates 220 a , 220 b have central apertures 213 a , 213 b and the middle subplate 210 has two central apertures 212 a , 212 b , that provide visibility and access to the vertebras 82 , 84 , 86 and discs below them . in the embodiment of fig1 a , 19 b and 19 c , an anterior two - level dynamic stabilization system 205 is already in place and the patient needs to have the next level of vertebra stabilized . in this case , the top subplate 220 a , is removed and is replaced with a diamond shaped sub - plate 310 , shown in fig1 b . next , the top subplate is re - installed on the top of the diamond subplate 310 , as shown in fig1 c . the attachment of the diamond shaped subplate 310 to the middle subplate 210 is not dynamic , i . e ., it allows pivoting but not sliding , whereas the connection of the top subplate 220 a to the diamond shaped subplate 310 is dynamic . other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims . for example , the bottom subplate may be able to slide relative to the top subplate in the dynamic stabilization system of fig9 . the motion of the top subplate 110 relative to the bottom subplate 120 may be vertical 156 , horizontal 157 , pivoting 155 and any combinations thereof , as shown in fig2 and fig8 a - 8b . the plate 100 may be placed onto the cervical bone first and then may be attached to the bone by screwing the screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d through the holes 162 a , 162 b , 162 c , 162 d , into the bone and then securing the screws onto the plate 100 with the locking nuts 160 a , 160 b , 160 c , 160 d , respectively . the screws 130 a , 130 b , 130 c , 130 d may be multi - axial screws with locking housings and “ starfish ” shape locking nuts that locks into the screw housings . alternatively , the screws may have a spherically shaped head on the screw with textured surface that allows for angular mounting with a concaved spherically shaped hole or chamfered shaped hole with textured surface in the plate . then a threaded bolt would be screwed onto the top of the spherically shaped head and lock the system together . alternatively , multi - axial and oversized holes are formed in the plate and “ starfish ” shaped locking nuts lock the screws onto the plate . the subplates may have other shapes including rectangular ( shown in fig2 ), square , circular , oval or polygonal . several embodiments of the present invention have been described . nevertheless , it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . accordingly , other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims .
methods and devices for static or dynamic spine stabilization include an anterior plating system that allows longitudinal and pivoting motion of the plates and of the stabilized vertebras . in one embodiment a spine fixation assembly for connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra includes a first plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the first vertebra and a second plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the second vertebra . the first plate is pivotally connected to the second plate and may also allow longitudinal and / or horizontal motion of the plates relative to each other .