Patent ID: 7267688
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for placement between two vertebral bodies having a medial-lateral orientation and anterior and posterior portions, the ADR comprising: opposing superior and inferior endplate components, each fixed to a respective one of the vertebral bodies; a cushioning component disposed between the opposing endplate components; a pair of opposing anterior side portions extending downwardly from the superior endplate component, each portion including a hole therethrough; a pair of opposing posterior side portions extending downwardly from the superior endplate component, each portion including a hole therethrough; a pair of opposing anterior side portions extending upwardly from the inferior endplate component, each portion including a hole therethrough that overlaps with a respective one of the holes of the opposing anterior side portions extending downwardly from the superior endplate component; a pair of opposing posterior side portions extending upwardly from the inferior endplate component, each portion including a hole that overlaps with a respective one of the holes of the opposing posterior side portions extending downwardly from the superior endplate component; one or two rods passing through the overlapping holes of the overlapping anterior side portions; one or two rods passing through the overlapping holes of the overlapping posterior side portions; and wherein at least some of the rods have cross-sectional areas that are smaller than some of the holes through which they pass, thereby permitting a predetermined, limited, movement of the endplate components relative to one another.