Articular disc prosthesis and method for implanting the same

An articular disc prosthesis for disposition between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising:

• a first articular component adapted to engage the first vertebra;
• and
• a second articular component adapted to engage the second vertebra;
• and
• wherein each of said first and second articular components extends along an axis and includes a central axial portion defining a convex lateral curvature and a pair of flanges extending laterally from said central axial portion in generally opposite directions.

An articular disc prosthesis for disposition between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising:

• a first modular articular component;
• and
• a second modular articular component;
• and
• wherein each of said first and second modular articular components includes:
• an outer shell portion configured to engage a corresponding one of the first and second vertebrae;
• an inner insert portion removably engaged with the outer shell portion, said inner insert portion including an articular surface cooperating with a corresponding articular surface to provide articulating motion between said first and second modular articular components;
• and
• an articular ball positioned between said first and second modular articular components;
• and
• wherein said articular surface of each of said inner insert portions is a concave articular surface, said articular ball cooperating with said concave articular surfaces to provide said articulating motion.

A method of implanting an articular disc prosthesis between first and second vertebrae, comprising:

• providing an articular disc prosthesis having a first articular component adapted to engage a first vertebra and a second articular component adapted to engage a second vertebra, each of the first and second articular components extending along an axis and including a central axial portion defining a convex lateral curvature and a pair of flanges extending laterally from the central axial portion in generally opposite directions;
• removing at least a portion of a natural interverterbral disc from between the first and second vertebrae to form an intervertebral space;
• forming an elongate recess along a central region of each of the first and second vertebrae;
• and
• implanting the articular disc prosthesis within the intervertebral space by inserting the central axial portions of the first and second articular components within the elongate recesses of the first and second vertebrae.

An articular disc prosthesis for replacement of a natural intervertebral disc, comprising:

• a first articular component defining a first concave articular surface;
• a second articular component defining a second concave articular surface;
• and
• an articular ball positioned between said first and second concave articular surfaces to provide articulating motion between the first and second articular components, said articular ball having a height greater than a height of the natural intervertebral disc;
• wherein each of said first and second articular components includes a first portion defining said concave articular surface and a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and defining an outwardly facing vertebral bearing surface, said outwardly facing vertebral bearing surfaces defined by said first and second articular components separated by a distance substantially equal to the height of the natural intervertebral disc;
• and
• wherein said first portion of said first and second articular components extends along an axis and defines a convex lateral curvature, a pair of said second portions extending laterally from said central axial portion in generally opposite directions.

An articular disc prosthesis for replacement of a natural intervertebral disc, comprising:

• a first articular component defining a first concave articular surface;
• a second articular component defining a second concave articular surface;
• and
• an articular ball positioned between said first and second concave articular surfaces to provide articulating motion between the first and second articular components, said articular ball having a height greater than a height of the natural intervertebral disc;
• wherein each of said first and second articular components includes a first portion defining said concave articular surface and a second portion extending laterally from the first portion and defining an outwardly facing vertebral bearing surface, said outwardly facing vertebral bearing surfaces defined by said first and second articular components separated by a distance substantially equal to the height of the natural intervertebral disc;
• and
• wherein said pair of second portions of said first articular component defines a first pair of inwardly facing surfaces, said pair of second portions of said second articular component defining a second pair of inwardly facing surfaces arranged generally opposite said first pair of inwardly facing surfaces, at least one of said first and second pairs of inwardly facing surfaces defining an outward taper.