Patent ID: 7011684
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An intervertebral disk prosthesis having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, an anterior side and a posterior side, the intervertebral disk prosthesis further comprising: an upper part including a convexly-shaped and rounded top, a bottom having an opening, an outer surface, an inner surface and a socket extending into an interior of the upper part from the opening, the outer surface proximate the top being configured to contact a concave portion of a first vertebra; and a lower part including a top, a convexly-shaped and rounded bottom, and an outer surface, the outer surface proximate the bottom being configured to contact a concave portion of a second vertebra that is adjacent to the first vertebra, and the outer surface of the lower part proximate the top of the lower pan being cooperatively and movably overlapped by the inner surface of the upper part thereby allowing at least two-degrees of freedom of movement, the taper of the distal end diminishing more gradually than the taper of the proximal end, and the anterior and posterior sides are at least partially convexly shaped in order to allow installation of the intervertebral disk prosthesis into a space defined by the concavities of the adjacent first and second vertebrae.