Intervertebral disk prosthesis

A vertebral disk prosthesis structured to be disposed adjacent to at least one vertebral body, said vertebral body having a periphery, said vertebral disk prosthesis comprising:

• at least one contacting member including a top endplate and a bottom endplate and having at least two movable lateral portions, said lateral portions coupled to each other;
• the top endplate structured to engage a first vertebral body and the bottom endplate structured to engage a second vertebral body, wherein the top and bottom endplates are pivotally connected for allowing the adjacent vertebral bodies to pivot with respect to each other when the endplates are engaged with the vertebral bodies;
• said lateral portions movable between:
• a contracted position in which the lateral portions are disposed such that the member has a first lateral width, said first lateral width being smaller than the lateral width of a vertebral body of a patient;
• and
• an expanded position in which the lateral portions are disposed such that the contacting member has a second lateral width that is larger than the first lateral width, and said at least one axial end surface is configured for supporting and abutting the periphery of the vertebral body, the second lateral width being sufficient for the axial end surface on the lateral portions to support and abut said periphery at opposite lateral sides of the vertebral body;
• an expansion member disposed between said lateral portions and configured for moving said lateral portions between the contracted position and the expanded position;
• and
• a bushing that comprises a gel disposed and in supportive association between said top and bottom endplates.