Artificial disc replacement device
AssigneeTRM IP Management LLC
InventorRobert S. Bray, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An artificial disc replacement device is disclosed. The device includes an upper endplate and a lower endplate, as well as a core assembly disposed between the endplates. The core assembly includes a core member with a curved engaging surface and a matrix member. The matrix member is more compressible than the core member. The curved engaging surface of the core member engages a recess in the upper endplate so that the upper endplate can translate along the curved engaging surface. The curved engaging surface has a greater curvature at its posterior end than at its anterior end to facilitate different ranges of motion during extension and flexion.
Claims14
An artificial disc replacement device, comprising:
- a first endplate configured to be disposed against a first vertebrae in a spine and a second endplate configured to be disposed against a second vertebrae in the spine;
- a core member disposed between the first endplate and the second endplate, the core member having a curved engaging surface for engaging the first endplate;
- the core member including a sagittal plane that separates the core member into a first lateral side and a second lateral side;
- the core member also including a coronal plane that separates the core member into an anterior side and a posterior side;
- wherein the curved engaging surface includes a curved boundary that extends within a first plane that is parallel with the sagittal plane;
- wherein the curved boundary has a first arc radius along an anterior portion disposed on the anterior side of the core member;
- wherein the curved boundary has a second arc radius along a posterior portion disposed on the posterior side of the core member, wherein the second arc radius is substantially different from the first arc radius;
- wherein the curved boundary of the curved engaging surface has a substantially constant curvature in a second plane that is parallel with the coronal plane;
- wherein the device is configured to articulate between the core member and the first endplate;
- and
- wherein the core member and the second endplate are configured to remain substantially fixed with respect to one another.
An artificial disc replacement device, comprising:
- a first endplate configured to be disposed against a first vertebrae in a spine and a second endplate configured to be disposed against a second vertebrae in the spine;
- a core member disposed between the first endplate and the second endplate, the core member having a curved engaging surface for engaging the first endplate;
- wherein the curved engaging surface includes a curved boundary that extends within a first plane;
- wherein the curved boundary has a first arc radius along an anterior portion of the core member;
- wherein the curved boundary has a second arc radius along a posterior portion of the core member, wherein the second arc radius is substantially different from the first arc radius;
- wherein the curved boundary of the curved engaging surface has a substantially constant curvature in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane;
- wherein the device is configured to articulate between the core member and the first endplate;
- and
- wherein the core member and the second endplate are configured to remain substantially fixed with respect to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.