Patent ID: 7128746

Claim:
An inflatable distraction device for insertion into the cavity of an intervertebral disc of the spine of a patient, said inflatable distraction device comprising: a) an elongated, valve body structure having a first end, a second end, said valve body having a valve chamber with a valve member mounted therein and further having an end plug in said first end of said valve body, said end plug having at least one channel member, said valve member comprising a ball valve and biasing means positioned in said valve chamber of said valve body; b) a flexible, expandable balloon member extending from said first end of said valve body structure, said balloon member being constructed and arranged to receive a fluid through said valve body and to occupy the cavity in the intervertebral disc; c) a flexible fill tube connected to said second end of said valve body structure; and d) said end plug being peripherally slotted and threadingly positioned in said first end of said valve body structure, said valve body structure further having a truncated, sloped portion forming a valve seat in said valve chamber of said valve member.