Motion preserving system, components, and apparatus

A disc nucleus replacement apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of modular disc implant segments comprising a pair of end implant segments and a plurality of intermediate implant segments;
• wherein each of the modular disc implant segments comprise a central portion with an attachment mechanism to facilitate connection of respective ones of the modular disc implant segments to at least one other one of the modular disc implant segments, for sequential insertion through a pathway in an annulus fibrosus of a patient and for assembly in situ within a space in the annulus fibrosus defined by an evacuated nucleus pulposus;
• wherein each of the plurality of implant segments comprises one or more structural voids internal in an encompassing structure above the respective central portions to facilitate compression of each of the plurality of implant segments in response to an external force on the encompassing structure, and wherein each of the plurality of implant segments is configured to return towards its original geometric shape in response to diminution of the external force;
• wherein the in situ assembled modular disc implant segments define a continuous smooth top surface and a continuous smooth bottom surface and a periphery between the continuous smooth top surface and the continuous smooth bottom surface that confronts the annulus fibrosus.

A disc nucleus replacement apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of modular disc implant segments including two end implant segments and a plurality of intermediate implant segments for in situ sequential assembly through a pathway through in a patient's annulus fibrosus in a space provided by an evacuated nucleus pulposus, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate implant segments comprises a central portion and an upper compressible portion extending upwardly from the central portion and having a C-shaped outer wall defining an interior void and a downward compressible portion extending downwardly from the central portion and having a C-shaped outer wall defining another interior void, each of the upper compressible portions and downward compressible portions facilitating compression of the at least one implant segment in response to an external force impacting the encompassing structure, and wherein the at least one implant segment is configured to return towards its original geometric shape in response to diminution of the external force;
• an attachment mechanism on each of the plurality of modular disc implant segments to facilitate connection of respective ones of the modular disc implant segments to at least one other one of the modular disc implant segments;
• and
• a tool connection mechanism on each of the plurality of modular disc implant segments providing external access to the encompassing structure and capable of releasably connecting to an installation instrument facilitating the in situ assembly;
• wherein when assembled, connected encompassing structure of each of the plurality of modular disc implant segments define a curved convex top face.

A disc nucleus replacement assemblage for insertion and for assembly in a row extending across a space defined by and within an annulus fibrosis of a human spine after removal of the nucleus pulposus, the assemblage comprising:

• a plurality of modular disc implant segments, comprising two end segments and a plurality of intermediate implant segments, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate segments comprises:
• a central base portion having two opposing lateral sides, a posterior side, an anterior side, a superior side, and an inferior side, formed of a rigid polymer,
• a superior compressible spring lobe unitary with and extending upwardly from the central base portion, the superior compressible spring lobe comprising a superior C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion, an outer surface of the superior C-shaped exterior wall defining the outermost margin of the implant segment above the central base portion, the superior C-shaped exterior wall portion defining an open interior of the superior compressible spring lobe;
• an inferior compressible spring lobe unitary with and extending downwardly from the central base portion, the inferior compressible spring lobe comprising an inferior C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion, an outer surface of the inferior C-shaped exterior wall defining the outermost margin of the implant segment below the central base portion, the inferior C-shaped exterior wall portion defining an open interior of the inferior compressible spring lobe;