US 2006/0149378 A1 · Articulating spinal disc prosthetic

Abstract

A spinal disc prosthetic for replacement of cervical and/or lumber discs, that in each case allows a limited degree of rotational articulation, as well as durability and resistance to fatigue. The prosthetic is formed with three primary layers, including a superior (upper) plate, inferior (lower) plate, and intermediate layer, in a sandwich. The superior plate member is adapted to be secured on one side to an upper vertebra in a spinal column, and has a formed concave side exposed downwardly. The inferior plate member is adapted to be secured on one side to a lower vertebra in the spinal column, and has a substantially flat side exposed upwardly. The intermediate member is sandwiched between the superior and inferior plate members with conforming sides, and includes a short cylindrical post protruding downward into a circular recess in the inferior plate member to center it and to maintain a predetermined spacing there between. Two lateral pins on the intermediate member fit into two corresponding slots on the inferior member as guides and allow a degree of rotational freedom, and the post includes snap-in spring fingers that lock into the recess of the inferior member to prevent withdrawal.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A spinal disc prosthetic, comprising:

a superior plate member adapted to be secured on one side to upper vertebra in a spinal column, said superior plate member having another concave side;
an inferior plate member adapted to be secured on one side to a lower vertebra in a spinal column, said inferior plate member having an opposing substantially flat side interrupted by a central cylindrical recess;
and
an intermediate member disposed between said superior and inferior plate members, said intermediate member having a convex side conforming to the concave side of the superior plate member, an opposing flat side conforming to the flat side of said inferior plate member, and a post extending centrally from the flat side and lockable inside the central recess of said inferior plate member to maintain a predetermined spacing there between.

1 more element

A spinal disc prosthetic, comprising:

a superior plate member further comprising,
an upper surface having means for attaching said superior plate to an upper vertebra in a spinal column, and
a concave lower mating surface;
an inferior plate member further comprising,
an planar upper mating surface having a central cylindrical recess and two slots at opposite ends of said inferior plate member, and
a lower surface having means for attaching said inferior plate to a lower vertebra in a spinal column;
an intermediate plate member disposed between said superior and inferior plate members, said intermediate member further comprising,
a convex upper surface conforming to the concave lower mating surface of said superior plate member,
a planar lower surface conforming to the flat side of said inferior plate member,
two lateral flanking pins protruding downwardly at opposite ends of said intermediate member for insertion into said slots of said inferior plate member, and
a hollow annular post extending centrally from said planar lower surface, said post further comprising a distal lip and side walls interrupted by a plurality of vertical notches, said notches defining snap-in fingers at end of said post for snapping inside said recess of said inferior plate member.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Articulating spinal disc prosthetic

Life of this patent

Articulating spinal disc prosthetic

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18