Patent ID: 9408714
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. An improved artificial disc comprises: a superior member having an upper body portion; an inferior member having a lower body portion; and wherein the upper body portion and the lower body portions, when positioned in a disc space between the upper and lower vertebral bodies and affixed to a respective vertebral body, are independently movable relative to the other along complimentary bearing surfaces on each of the superior and inferior members and wherein the complimentary bearing surfaces are self-aligned by a magnetic attraction force generated by at least one first permanent magnet aligned with an apex of one of said bearing surfaces in either the inferior or superior member, wherein the bearing surfaces include one circular convex surface and one complimentary circular concave surface, the convex bearing surface aligned and matingly engaged with the concave bearing surface at the apex and wherein the bearing surfaces are translatable in any direction about the other through movement of the neck or vertebrae to which upper body and lower body portions are attached allowing for movement in any direction with regard to angular rotation about an axis of the artificial disc wherein the inferior or superior member opposite the member with the first permanent magnet has at least one second permanent magnet of opposing polarity relative to the at least one first permanent magnet or has a ferromagnetic composition responsive to the magnetic attractive force to self-align the complimentary bearing surfaces.