Patent ID: 7918889
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first articulation member having a first articulating surface and a first attachment surface; a second articulation member having a second articulating surface and a second attachment surface, the second articulating surface being configured to cooperate with the first articulating surface to permit articulating motion; a connection means extending between the first and second articulation members for rigidly securing the first and second articulation members to one another, the connection means sized and shaped to allow insertion of the first and second articulating members within the intervertebral space with the connection means extending between and securing the first and second articulation members in a fixed orientation with respect to each other, the connection means removable to permit articulating motion between the first and second articulation members; an expandable member connected to the first articulation member and configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space, the expandable member having a cavity for receiving a filling material; a plurality of tacks separate from the expandable member, each of the plurality of tacks sized and shaped for introduction into the cavity of the expandable member and through a wall of the expandable member defining the cavity into one of the adjacent vertebrae to secure the expandable member to the vertebra; and a substance injector associated with at least one of the first and second articulation members and being sized and shaped to introduce a filling material into the expandable member to expand the expandable member, the filling material exerting a pressure on the plurality of tacks to secure the tacks into one of the adjacent vertebrae.