US 2012/0239149 A1 · APPARATUS FOR REPLACING A DAMAGED SPINAL DISC

Abstract

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising:

a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface;
a second retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface;
and
a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface engaging said inner surface of said first retaining device, said second surface engaging said inner surface of said second retaining device, said resilient core having a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent said first surface to adjacent said second surface.

1 more element

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal colurnn, said apparatus comprising:

a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface;
a second retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface;
said first retaining device having a flange extending toward said second retaining device;
and
a resilient core having a first surface, a second surface and a radially outer surface extending between said first and second surfaces, said first surface engaging said inner surface of said first retaining device, said second surface engaging said inner surface of said second retaining device, a concave surface extending between said first surface and said radially outer surface, said concave surface of said core engaging said flange when said apparatus is free of a load.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc

Life of this patent

Apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29