Modular intervertebral prosthesis system

A modular intervertebral prosthesis kit, comprising:

• a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;
• a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;
• a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures and removably mated to said first and second baseplates;
• a second insert adapted to be disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures when said first insert is unmated from said first and second baseplates, said second insert of a different configuration than said first insert;
• and
• a retaining mechanism removably attached to the first baseplate, and on contact with the first insert to prevent removal of the first insert and the second insert when disposed between the first and second baseplates, the retaining mechanism sized to be spaced away from the second baseplate when mounted to expose the first insert and the second insert.

A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

• a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;
• a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;
• at least a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates proximate said first and second apertures and removably engaging said first and second baseplate;
• and
• a screw mountable to one of the first and second mounting sections to retain the first insert within the first and second baseplates, the screw sized such that the first insert is exposed.

A intervertebral prosthesis method, comprising:

• providing a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;
• providing a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting section, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;
• securing said first baseplate to a superior vertebral member via said first mounting section;
• securing said second baseplate to an inferior vertebral member via said second mounting section;
• mating a first insert to said first and second baseplates, between the intervertebral sections thereof, such that said first insert faces said first and second apertures, said first insert being initially removably mated to said first and second baseplates;
• and
• mounting a mechanism to the first baseplate and on contact with the first and retaining the first insert between the intervertebral sections while a front of the first insert remains exposed between the first and second mounting sections.

A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

• a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first mounting section having a first aperture to receive a screw to attach the first baseplate to a first intervertebral member;
• a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting;
• an insert disposed between said first and second intervertebral sections;
• and
• a retaining mechanism attached to the first mounting section to prevent removal of the screw from the first intervertebral member and prevent removal of the insert from between the first and second intervertebral sections, the retaining mechanism sized such that the insert is exposed between the first and second baseplates.

A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

• a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;
• a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;
• and
• at least a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures and adapted to engage said first and second baseplates, the at least first insert further comprises an outwardly-extending tab that contacts one of the first and second mounting sections to prevent over-insertion when the first insert is positioned between the first and second baseplates.