Patent ID: 8292962

Claim:
An intervertebral prosthesis system for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates, the prosthesis system comprising: a plurality of prosthesis components comprising a first component with a pear-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a second component with a hemispherical shaped configuration, the pear-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the first component being formed by a substantially triangular-shaped first portion having an arcuate upper surface, said first portion abutting a circular second portion including a planar upper surface, the upper surface of the second portion being recessed relative to the upper surface of the first portion such that a lower surface of the second component engages the upper surface of the second portion of the first component without engaging the arcuate upper surface of the first portion of the first component, the plurality of components being insertable into the disc space, wherein: the components have surfaces configured to engage within the disc space in a manner such that the components form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space through an opening in the disc space; the components have bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates to permit articulation between upper and lower vertebral endplates; and the components each have an insertion rod attached to the component for inserting the respective component to which the insertion rod is attached into the disc space.