detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein ; however , it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms . in addition , each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative , and not restrictive . further , the figures are not necessarily to scale , some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components . therefore , specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting , but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention . referring now generally to fig1 - 3 , it is seen that a bone plate assembly 10 is provided with bone plate 12 , bone screw ( s ) 14 received in aperture ( s ) 16 in the bone plate 12 , and washer ( s ) 18 that , alone or in conjunction with the bone plate 12 , fix the bone screw ( s ) 14 in place ( e . g ., when the bone screw ( s ) 14 are inserted in the aperture ( s ) 16 in the bone plate ). each bone screw 14 has a head 20 sized so that it does not pass through the bone plate 12 . further , each bone screw 14 has a shank 22 provided with threads 24 ( e . g ., which threads 24 may extend to tip 26 ). the head 20 of bone screw 14 is further provided with an opening 15 that is dimensioned to mate with the head of a tool , so that the bone screw 14 can be installed in tissue and / or bone . in one embodiment , the head 20 of the bone screw 14 may be provided with grooves 21 ( see , e . g ., fig3 b and 5 ). bone plate assembly 10 is also provided with washer ( s ) 18 . each washer 18 has an opening 19 though which a bone screw is received ( see , e . g ., fig3 b ). referring now generally to fig3 b , it is seen that each washer 18 is provided with a sidewall 28 ( which sidewall 28 defines the aperture 19 though which the bone screw extends ) and that the sidewall 28 has a varying thickness with respect to position along the washer &# 39 ; s perimeter ( see also , for example , fig7 a ). in one embodiment , the washer 18 is provided with a first sidewall region 28 a that is relatively thicker than a second sidewall region 28 b ( i . e ., in this embodiment dimension “ a ” is greater than dimension “ b ” ( see fig3 b )). referring now to fig7 a , 7b , 8 a , 8 b , 9 and 31 , it is seen that in these examples ( which examples are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) the washer 18 may be provided with a series of splines 31 that are spaced at intervals around the inside perimeter of the washer ( the washer of fig3 is similar to the washers of fig7 a , 7b , 8 a , 8 b and 9 , with the exception that the washer of fig3 is a split - ring washer ). as depicted in the figures , the splines may be solid members ( which may extend from the perimeter of the washer towards the aperture 19 of the washer ), and may be spaced apart by openings 32 . the arrangement of the splines 31 and openings 32 may be complementary to a spline 41 and opening 42 arrangement provided on the head 44 of a tool 40 ( see , e . g ., fig8 a and 8b ). in operation , when the splines of the washer are engaged with the spaces of the tool , and vice versa , the application of a rotational force to the tool is translated to the washer , thereby turning the washer . the tool may , for example , be operated manually by handle 43 , or by drill , in which case drill bit receiving channel 45 may be provided . referring once again to fig7 a , it is seen that in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) the washer 18 may be provided with a detent 50 positioned on the outside of the sidewall 28 . in this example , the sidewall of the bone plate may be provided with an indentation 52 , which is sized to receive the detent 50 provided on the washer 18 ( see , e . g ., fig1 ). when the bone plate and washer are assembled , the washer can be aligned so that the detent 50 resides in the indentation 52 . this arrangement may inhibit unwanted rotation of the washer ( e . g ., until the time to actuate it , as described below ). as seen in fig6 bone plate 12 may be constructed with an arcuate shape . of course , plates with other shapes and / or dimensions are possible . in another example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) bone plate 12 may be provided with one or more recesses 30 , positioned within the bone plate 12 ( see fig4 a , 4b , 5 and 6 ). each recess 30 may extend around the perimeter of each aperture 16 in the bone plate 12 . each recess 30 may be cut into the sidewall of the apertures in the bone plate 12 . the lateral depth to which each recess 30 is cut may vary depending on the location on the perimeter of the recess 30 . in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), a first region 30 a of the recess 30 may have a lateral depth that is greater than the lateral depth of a second region 30 b of the recess 30 ( i . e ., in this embodiment dimension “ a ” is greater than dimension “ b ” ( see fig4 b )). in another example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), the lower portion of aperture 16 may be provided with a tapered sidewall 16 a against which the bottom portion of the screw head 20 may rest ( see fig4 b ). the washer 18 may reside within the recess , aligned so that the first relatively thicker sidewall region 28 a of the washer 18 is positioned within the first relatively deeper region 30 a of the recess , and the second relatively thinner sidewall region 28 b of the washer 18 is positioned in the second relatively shallower region 30 b of the recess . in one embodiment , when the bone screw 14 is inserted into the aperture 16 of the bone plate 12 , the washer 18 is substantially coplanar with the head 20 of the bone screw 14 . referring now to fig1 , certain characteristics of the recess 30 as seen from the bottom of the bone plate 12 are shown . as shown here , the lateral depth of the second recess region 30 b may be minimal ( and may not be present at all ) and a lateral depth may be provided essentially only in the first recess region 30 a . referring now generally to fig1 a and 12b , it is seen that when the bone plate assembly is implanted in a person , the bone plate is positioned over the bone , bones , and / or tissue to be joined by the bone plate 12 . the bone screw ( s ) are inserted through the aperture ( s ) in the washer ( s ) ( which washer ( s ) may reside in the recess ( s ) provided in the aperture ( s ) of the bone plate ) and the bone screw ( s ) are installed in bone and / or tissue by known techniques . each bone screw may be installed at a preselected angle , relative to the bone plate . in the position in which a washer is unlocked , the bone screw may pass through the opening in the washer ( e . g ., so that the bone screw may be installed at a preselected angle ) ( see fig1 a ). to fix the bone screw ( e . g ., at the angle at which the bone screw is installed ), the washer may be actuated by rotating the washer ( e . g ., with the tool , as described above ). when the washer is rotated , the first relatively thicker sidewall region of the washer may move into the second relatively shallower region of the recess . such movement may effectively cause the first relatively thicker sidewall region to extend laterally into the aperture in the bone plate ( where the relatively thicker sidewall region impinges against the head of the bone screw , thereby applying a force thereto which wedges the bone screw between the washer and the opposite sidewall of the aperture ) ( see fig1 b ). such wedging of the bone screw may fix the bone screw at an angle ( e . g ., the angle at which the bone screw was inserted ). fig1 and 12b depict the condition where the bone screw is wedged after actuating the washer . in yet another embodiment of the present invention , depicted in fig1 - 21 , another bone plate assembly is depicted . shown here is a bone plate , bone screw , and a washer . with this arrangement , a bone plate that does not have a recess can be employed with this screw and washer pairing . more particularly , fig1 depicts a bone plate assembly 100 , generally provided with bone plate 102 , bone screw ( s ) 104 received in aperture ( s ) 106 in the bone plate 102 , and washer ( s ) 108 that , alone or in conjunction with the bone plate 102 , fix the bone screw ( s ) 104 in place ( i . e ., when the bone screw ( s ) 104 are inserted in the aperture ( s ) 106 in the bone plate 102 ). each bone screw 104 has a head 110 sized so that it does not pass through the bone plate 102 . further , each bone screw 104 has a shank 112 provided with threads 114 ( e . g ., which threads 114 extend to tip 116 ). in one embodiment , the head 110 of each bone screw 104 may be provided with grooves 118 ( see , e . g ., fig4 and 5c ). bone plate assembly 100 is provided with washer ( s ) 108 , each of which ( as described below ) is adapted to reside over a bone screw 104 and be joined therewith in a locking arrangement . as shown in fig1 and 17 - 19 , for example , in this embodiment the head 110 of bone screw 104 is provided with a number of tangs 120 , spaced apart from each other , mounted on the upper surface of the head 110 . the tangs 120 include wedges 122 , which wedges 122 are not as wide as the upper portions of the tangs 120 ( the wedges 122 are narrowed by an undercut ). the head 110 is provided with an opening 107 in which a tool can be received to apply a rotational force , which rotational force permits the installation of the screw in tissue and / or bone . each washer 108 is sized and dimensioned to fit within one of the aperture ( s ) 106 in the bone plate 102 . each washer 108 is provided with a washer body 124 through which a central opening 125 is provided . a number of lobes 126 are provided on the periphery of the central opening 125 . as depicted in the embodiment of fig1 , for example , three lobes are provided , though it should be understood that other arrangements are possible . each washer 108 is also provided with splays 127 , which are provided on the exterior of the washer 108 . the splays 127 are separated from the remainder of the washer body 124 by tracks 128 , which tracks 128 extend into the washer body 124 . the tracks 128 are provided with an entrance portion 130 , an intermediate track portion 132 , and a terminus 134 . the entrance portion 130 and the terminus 134 are wider than the intermediate track portion 132 . the width of the intermediate track portion 132 is narrowed by the presence of nubs 136 that extend into the track ( e . g ., from the washer body 124 and / or the splays 128 ). the washer 108 and the wedges 122 / tangs 120 are designed to engage with each other in a locking arrangement . relative to each other , the wedges 122 are slightly wider than the width of at least the intermediate track portion 132 . in operation , when the bone plate assembly is implanted in a person , the bone plate is positioned over the bone , bones , and / or tissue to be joined by / to the bone plate . the bone screw ( s ) are inserted through the aperture ( s ) in the bone plate and installed in bone and / or tissue by known techniques . each bone screw may be installed at a preselected angle , relative to the bone plate . to fix the bone screw at a preselected angle ( e . g ., the angle at which the bone screw is installed ), the washer is placed over the head of the bone screw , positioned so that the wedges 122 are poised to enter the track portions 128 . a tool , provided with a head adapted to fit within the central washer opening 125 and lobes 126 is inserted into the washer , which is then rotated . the wedges 122 thereby enter the track portions 128 . since wedges 122 are wider than at least the intermediate track portions 132 , the splays 127 are forced outward when the wedges enter the intermediate track portions 132 ( see , e . g ., fig2 ). the splays are forced into an abutting arrangement with the sidewalls of the aperture in which the bone screw 106 and washer reside 108 . the abutting arrangement between the splays 127 and the sidewalls of the bone plate 102 fixes the bone screw 104 ( e . g ., at the angle at which the bone screw 104 was installed ). in another example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) the splays 127 may enter an undercut 140 in the aperture ( s ) 106 ( see , e . g ., fig1 ). in another embodiment fig2 depicts , in a perspective view , a double lobed washer . the double lobed washer may be shaped differently than the recess and / or aperture in the bone plate which received the washer . when the washer is rotated , it is deformed , compressing it against the bone screw , fixing the angle of the bone screw ( e . g ., the angle at which the bone screw is inserted ). the embodiment of fig3 is similar . fig3 depicts , in a perspective view , a tri - lobed washer . again , the tri - lobed washer may be shaped differently than the recess and / or aperture in the bone plate . when the washer is rotated , it is deformed , compressing it against the bone screw and fixing the angle of the bone screw ( e . g ., the angle at which the bone screw is inserted ). the embodiments of fig2 and 30 may thus operate without a recess . in another embodiment , shown in fig2 a , 22b and 22 c , there is shown a bone plate assembly 150 , generally provided with bone plate 152 , bone screw ( s ) 154 ( which bone screw ( s ) 154 are received in aperture ( s ) 156 in the bone plate 152 ), and moveable doors 158 ( which moveable doors 158 may slide and may fix the bone screw ( s ) 154 in place when the bone screw ( s ) 154 are inserted in the aperture ( s ) 156 in the bone plate 152 ). each bone screw 154 has a head sized so that the head does not pass through the bone plate 152 . further , each bone screw 154 has a shank provided with threads that extend to a tip . in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), the head of the bone screw may be provided with grooves . bone plate assembly 150 is provided with cut out portion ( s ) 164 , on an upper surface of the bone plate assembly 150 , to which the moving doors 158 are slidably mounted . the cut out portion ( s ) 164 are positioned adjacent the aperture ( s ) 156 , at a segment of the edge thereof . in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), each moveable door 158 is provided with two substantially flat sides 166 , 167 , cutouts of partial circles 168 , full cut out circle 169 , and arcuate side 172 . it should be apparent that other dimensional arrangements are possible . the moveable doors 158 are positioned in the cut out portion ( s ) 164 on the upper surfaced of the bone plate 152 , and are retained therein by lip 174 provided at the upper sidewall of the cut out portion 164 . dovetail undercuts may also be present along other upper sidewalls to maintain the doors in place . the cut out portion ( s ) 164 are sized slightly greater than the moveable doors . thus , when each bone screw is positioned in an aperture 156 of the bone plate 152 , the moveable door 158 can be slid in the direction of the aperture 156 , in order to cover the bone screw 154 ( and thus fix the bone screw 154 in place ). referring now to fig2 c , in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) a channel 180 is fully or partially bored into the bone plate 152 at a location between the cut out portions ( s ) 164 . still referring to fig2 c , in another example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ) the moveable doors 158 are provided with stops 182 that depend from the doors , into the channel 180 . when the door is moved into the locked position , as shown in the left hand side of fig2 c , the stop engages channel sidewall 184 , inhibiting further movement of the door . detents 186 and indentations 188 may also be used if desired . another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in fig2 - 27 . in this embodiment a bone screw 200 is provided with a head 202 sized so that it does not pass through a bone plate ( not shown ) and shank 204 provided with threads ( not shown ) that extend to tip 208 . in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), the head 202 of the bone screw 200 may be provided with grooves ( not shown ). as seen in these figures , the head 202 of bone screw 200 is provided with a number of splays 212 , spaced apart from each other , and extending around the periphery of the head of the bone screw 200 . the splays 212 are mounted on the upper surface of the head 202 , and in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), may have an arcuate shape . each splay 212 extends around a portion of the periphery of the head of the bone screw 200 . each splay 212 is mounted upon a wedge 214 , ( wherein the wedges 214 extend up from the head of the screw ). the wedges 214 join the splay 212 at the base of the splay 212 , elevating the splay 212 off of the head of the bone screw 200 . spaces 215 are present between the portions of the splay 212 , which extend over the periphery of the head of the bone screw 200 , and the head of the bone screw 200 itself . in this embodiment , after the bone screw 200 has been inserted into an aperture in a bone plate , and installed at a preselected angle , the angle can be fixed by forcing the splays outward ( i . e ., into a locking and abutting arrangement with the sidewalls of the aperture in the bone plate ). in operation , a tool is inserted into the interior space 216 and rotated ( to force the splays outward , into an abutting and locking arrangement with the sidewalls of the apertures ). in another embodiment , shown in fig2 , a cam 218 may be utilized . in one example ( which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive ), the cam may be rotatably mounted to the head 202 of the bone screw 200 . in operation , the splays are forced outward , by rotating the cam 218 ( which cam 218 moves against the interior walls of the splays ). here , the cam 218 provides a counterforce against the force applied by the sidewalls of the apertures ( which counterforce facilitates the maintaining of the splays 212 in a locking and abutting arrangement with the sidewalls of the aperture in the bone plate ). in another embodiment one or more of the washers may be a split - ring washer . while a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described , it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only , and not restrictive , and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art .
one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bone plate assembly that includes a bone plate , bone screw received in aperture in the bone plate , and screw fixation member . the screw fixation member may , alone or in conjunction with the bone plate , fix the bone screw in place when such bone screw are inserted in the aperture in the bone plate . in one example when the bone screw have been received by the bone plate and inserted into bone and / or tissue , the bone plate assembly can be used to fuse anatomical structures together and / or to heal a fracture in bone .