Patent ID: 8163025
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A disc prosthesis for vertebrae, said disc prosthesis comprising: a first assembly; and a second assembly, wherein the first assembly comprises a first plate; wherein the second assembly comprises a second plate, wherein the first plate comprises a first active face and a first anchor face; wherein the second plate comprises a second active face and a second anchor face, wherein the first anchor face is configured to anchor the first assembly to a first vertebra, wherein the second anchor face is configured to anchor the second assembly to a second vertebra, wherein the first assembly comprises a first insert; wherein the second assembly comprises a second insert; wherein the first and second plates are made of a first material, said first material being biocompatible and substantially transparent to medical imaging; wherein the first and second inserts are made of a second material, said second material being biocompatible and substantially transparent to medical imaging; wherein the first plate comprises a cavity for receiving the first insert, wherein the first insert comprises a concave spherical cap, wherein the second plate comprises an opening that connects the second active face to the second anchor face, wherein the second insert comprises a fastener portion, said fastener portion is configured to friction fit in the opening, wherein the second insert comprises a convex spherical cap, wherein the outside diameter of the convex spherical cap is greater than the diameter of the opening so as to form a shoulder configured to bear on the second active face; wherein the first assembly and the second assembly each comprise anchor fins, wherein said anchor fins comprise a material that is biocompatible and not transparent to medical imaging, wherein said anchor fins each comprises a fastener extension configured to engage by force into a fastener hole formed in the first plate or the second plate, wherein a first fastener hole and a second fastener hole of the first plate lie in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first insert, the first fastener hole and the second fastener hole lying in a region of the first plate outside the periphery of the cavity formed in the first plate, and wherein a third fastener hole and a fourth fastener hole of the second plate lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the second insert, the third fastener hole and the fourth fastener hole lying in a region of the second plate outside the periphery of the convex spherical cap of the second plate.