Spinal disc

A spinal disc prosthesis for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human, the prosthesis comprising:

• an elastomeric core having a superior surface and an inferior surface;
• a superior plate coupled to the superior surface of the core;
• an inferior plate coupled to the inferior surface of the core, an inferior surface of the superior plate and a superior surface of the inferior plate being generally parallel relative to one another, and
• a projection extending from the superior plate, the projection including a side wall having a generally concave surface and a generally convex surface,
• wherein the projection includes a top surface extending between the surfaces of the side wall, and
• wherein the top surface is inclined relative to the superior plate.

A spinal disc prosthesis for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human, the prosthesis comprising:

• an elastomeric core having superior and inferior surfaces,
• a superior plate coupled to the superior surface of the core,
• an inferior plate coupled to the inferior surface of the core, an inferior surface of the superior plate and a superior surface of the inferior plate being generally parallel relative to one another,
• a projection extending from the superior plate, the projection including a side wall having a generally concave surface and a generally convex surface;
• and
• an inferior projection extending from the inferior plate,
• wherein the inferior projection includes a side wall positioned to lie generally perpendicular to the inferior plate, and
• wherein the inferior projection includes a top surface inclined relative to the inferior plate.

A spinal disc prosthesis for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human, the prosthesis comprising:

• a body including a superior plate and an inferior plate, an inferior surface of the superior plate and a superior surface of the inferior plate being positioned to lie generally parallel to one another, the superior plate and the inferior plate each having a perimeter defined by a generally straight portion and a generally curved portion that interconnects opposite ends of the generally straight portion, and
• a projection extending from one of the superior plate and the inferior plate, the projection being generally crescent-shaped,
• wherein the projection includes a side wall and a top surface coupled to the side wall, and
• wherein the top surface is inclined relative to the superior plate of the body.

A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

• an elastomeric core having a superior surface and an interior surface;
• a superior plate coupled to the superior surface of the core;
• an inferior plate coupled to the inferior surface of the core;
• and
• a projection extending from the superior plate,
• wherein the projection includes (i) a posteriorly facing concave side surface and the anteriorly facing convex side surface both extending upwardly from the superior plate, and (ii) a top surface extending between the posteriorly facing concave side surface and the anteriorly facing convex side surface,
• wherein (i) a posterior edge is defined by the intersection of the top surface and the posteriorly facing concave side surface, and (ii) an anterior edge is defined by the intersection of the top surface and the anteriorly facing concave side surface, and
• wherein the posterior edge is spaced apart from the anterior edge.

A spinal disc prosthesis for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column of a human, the prosthesis comprising:

• a body including a superior plate and an inferior plate, an inferior surface of the superior plate and a superior surface of the inferior plate being positioned to lie generally parallel to one another, the superior plate and the inferior plate each having a perimeter defined by a generally straight portion and a generally curved portion that interconnects opposite ends of the generally straight portion, and
• a projection extending from one of the superior plate and the inferior plate, the projection being generally crescent-shaped,
• wherein the projection extends from the superior plate of the body,
• wherein the projection includes (i) a posteriorly facing concave side surface and an anteriorly facing convex side surface both which extends upwardly from the superior plate, and (ii) a top surface extending between the posteriorly facing concave side surface and the anteriorly facing convex side surface,
• wherein (i) a posterior edge is defined by the intersection of the top surface and the posteriorly facing concave side surface, and (ii) an anterior edge is defined by the intersection of the top surface and the anteriorly facing concave side surface, and
• wherein the posterior edge is spaced apart from the anterior edge.