Patent ID: 9198768
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An enhanced artificial disk comprising: a disk, wherein the disk comprises a substantially firm outer surface and a soft inner surface; a stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer is mounted to the disk at a first end to prevent backward movement of the disk; and a stabilizer screw, wherein the stabilizer screw secureably couples the stabilizer with the disk, wherein the stabilizer comprises a casing, wherein the casing comprises a front wall and a rear wall, wherein a cavity is enclosed within the front wall and the rear wall, and wherein the rear wall has a keyhole-shaped opening for receiving a head of the stabilizer screw, wherein the keyhole-shaped opening of the stabilizer has a substantially globular crown and a constricted tail, and wherein the tail is parallel to a longitudinal axis that extends substantially through the center of the stabilizer, wherein a head of the stabilizer screw is trapped within the cavity, an overall width of the cavity taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis being larger than the substantially globular crown and the constricted tail which facilitates movement of the stabilizer screw between the globular crown and the bottom of the tail within the cavity to allow the enhanced artificial disk to exhibit flexion, extension, compression, left and right lateral flexion and left and right rotation, and also preventing abnormal range of motion of the enhanced artificial disc when it is implanted in a space defined by a first vertebra above and a second vertebra below.