Patent ID: 8414649

Claim:
An artificial spinal disk for placement between adjacent spinal vertebrae to replace disk material, comprising in combination: a first flat plate for attaching to the endplate of a first vertebral body said first flat plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a front wall, and a slot opening through the second surface and through the front wall; a second flat plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, adapted to slide into the slot in said first plate; a post having a first end, and a second end perpendicularly attached to the second surface of said second plate and extending through the slot opening in the second surface of said first plate; a ball mounted on the first end of said post; a third flat plate for attaching to the endplate of a second vertebral body the endplate of the second vertebral body opposing the endplate of the first vertebral body, said third flat plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a front wall, and a slot opening through the second surface and through the front wall; a fourth member having a first surface, an opposing second surface, a front wall, and adapted to slide into the slot in said third plate, said fourth member having a slot therein opening through the second surface and through the front wall thereof and a first channel within the slot opening through the front wall of said fourth member adapted to slidably and rotatably receive said ball; a fifth member having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a rear wall, and adapted to slide into the slot in said fourth member, the second surface having a second channel therein adapted to slidably and rotatably receive said ball and said post, and opening through the rear wall; and means for rigidly affixing said fifth member to said fourth member, whereby the channel in said fifth member and the channel in said fourth member form opposing, parallel channels wherein said ball may rotate and slide a chosen distance therein.