Patent ID: 11957598
Assignee: LDR MEDICAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 12:
13. A surgical kit, comprising:
a disc prosthesis comprising:
a first endplate including first and second surfaces;
a second endplate including first and second surfaces; and
a nucleus including first and second surfaces engaging the second surface of the first endplate and the first surface of the second endplate, respectively, wherein the first surface of the nucleus comprises at least one central recess intersecting a plurality of grooves radiating outwardly from the at least one central recess to facilitate engagement of the nucleus relative to the second surface of the first endplate in response to movement by a patient, wherein a plurality of engaging portions adjacent to the at least one central recess and plurality of grooves are configured to provide a contact area between the first surface of the nucleus and second surface of the first endplate that is substantially equal to a contact area between the second surface of the nucleus and the first surface of the second endplate, whereby constraints applied to the disc prosthesis are absorbed equally by both surfaces of the nucleus, wherein the plurality of grooves are interconnected via the at least one central recess, wherein the engaging portions of the first surface of the nucleus and the second surface of the first endplate are each substantially flat and wherein each of the plurality of grooves extends from the at least one central recess to a peripheral edge of the engaging portion of the first surface of the nucleus; and

a prosthesis insertion tool to position the disc prosthesis between opposing vertebrae of a patient, the disc prosthesis insertion tool comprising a clip having a U-shaped engaging surface that engages a front of the disc prosthesis, the clip further comprising a plurality of laterally opposed blades, each laterally opposed blade of the clip gripping opposing sides of the disc prosthesis and a center portion of the U-shaped engaging surface engaging the first and second endplates of the disc prosthesis.