Patent ID: 7575600
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An intervertebral disk replacement implant, the implant comprising: a first endplate including a first exterior surface that abuts a first vertebral body and an opposing first inner surface, the first endplate further including a first anterior side, a first posterior side, a first right lateral side, and a first left lateral side each extending between the first exterior surface and the first opposing inner surface, wherein the first endplate has a first length extending between the first anterior side and the first posterior side and a first width extending between the first right lateral side and the first left lateral side, the first exterior surface having at least one first keel extending along a majority of the first width of the first endplate substantially parallel to a first lateral axis extending between the first right and left lateral sides, the first opposing inner surface forming a first S-shaped curve in cross section in an anterior-posterior direction defining a first concave portion adjacent the first anterior side and a first convex portion adjacent to the first posterior side, the first concave and convex portions are continuous and smooth with respect to each other to form the first S-shaped curve, and wherein the first inner surface is straight in cross-section in a right-to-left lateral direction from the first right lateral side to the first left lateral side; and a second endplate including a second exterior surface that abuts a second vertebral body and an opposing second inner surface, the second endplate further including a second anterior side, a second posterior side, a second right lateral side, and a second left lateral side each extending between the second exterior surface and the opposing second inner surface, wherein the second endplate has a second length extending between the second anterior side and the second posterior side and a second width extending between the second right lateral side and the second left lateral side, the second exterior surface having at least one second keel along a majority of the second width of the second endplate substantially parallel to a second lateral axis extending between the second right and left lateral sides, the second opposing inner surface forming a second S-shaped curve in cross section in the anterior-posterior direction defining a second concave portion adjacent the second anterior side and a second convex portion adjacent the second posterior side, the second concave and convex portions are continuous and smooth with respect to each other to form the second S-shaped curve, and wherein the second inner surface is straight in cross-section in the right-to-left lateral direction from the second right lateral side to the second left lateral side, the second S-shaped curve adapted to mate with the first S-shaped curve formed from the first inner surface, the mating of the first and second S-shaped curves enables the first convex portion to mate with the second concave portion to form a first articulating element, the mating of the first and second S-shaped curves enables the first concave portion to mate with the second convex portion to form a second articulating element, the first and second articulating elements are joined in continuous smooth fashion in the anterior-posterior direction such that when the first and second S-shaped curves are mated the first endplate linearly translates relative to the second endplate in the direction of the first and second lateral axes while allowing the first and second endplates to pivot relative to one another about the first and second articulating elements.