Paragraph Number

52

The detent mechanism and the rotation limiter described above are only examples. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many other mechanisms may alternatively be used for guiding and/or limiting rotation of the rotatable structure 112. For example, in one embodiment, the rotatable structures 112 may not be seated in recesses. Rather, the flat surfaces 122 may protrude from the outer surface of the bone plate 108, as opposed to being disposed in the partially circular recesses 120 and may still provide the desired limitation on rotation. Detent mechanisms likewise need not be defined by a recess, but may, in some embodiments, be defined by protruding features and/or niches that are otherwise provided on the surface of the bone plate 108 and/or on the rotatable structures. Positioning the rotatable structures 112 in the partially circular recesses 120 as in FIG. 1A may help to reduce the profile of the locking mechanisms 110, helping the locking mechanisms 110 avoid damage to surrounding soft tissues or discomfort to a patient.

Added by DJM 5 2021