Patent ID: 8435301
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae and having a height, the disc comprising: an anterior side; a posterior side; a first lateral side; a second lateral side; an upper endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the upper endplate is adapted for contacting a first vertebra; a lower endplate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the lower endplate is adapted for contacting a second vertebra, wherein the inner surface of the upper endplate has an arcuate socket and the inner surface of the lower endplate has a corresponding arcuate protrusion; and a non-permeable elastic membrane formed from an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, and a braided polymer, and extending from the inner surface of the upper endplate to the inner surface of the lower endplate and defining an inner volume that is at least partially filled with a fluid, wherein the elastic membrane is affixed to the inner surface of the upper endplate and to the inner surface of the lower endplate, wherein the elastic membrane comprises a valve providing access to the interior of the disc so that fluid may be injected into or removed from the inner volume of the disc, wherein filling the inner volume with the fluid permits the height of the disc to be varied, and wherein a gap between the inner surface of the upper endplate and the inner surface of the lower endplate is elastically maintained during use.