Patent ID: 6413278
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine of a patient to limit motion between said first and second vertebrae and/or to facilitate fusion of said first and second vertebrae, said prosthesis comprising:a central support sized and shaped for insertion between said first and second vertebrae, said support having a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between said first and second vertebrae; upper and lower flex members extending from the top and bottom of the central support, respectively, for engaging said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower members having a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from said first and second vertebrae; and upper and lower stops positioned adjacent said upper and lower flex members, respectively, for limiting flexure of the members toward each other, said upper and lower stops being spaced less than about 0.08 inches from said upper and lower flex members, respectively, when said members are unflexed.