Patent ID: 7025787

Claim:
An implantable prosthesis, comprising: upper and lower rigid, opposed, biocompatible concavo-convex shells, each shell comprising: an outer, rough convex surface, comprising a porous coating of biocompatible material; an inner concave surface, comprising: a smooth contact area; and an axial post extending toward the opposing shell; an edge between the surfaces, comprising: a circumferential groove; a stop circumscribing the contact area of the inner concave surface and extending toward the opposing shell; an insertion tab extending axially away from the opposing shell; and a closable passage between the outer surface and the inner surface of the shell; a deformable, resilient central body disposed between the inner, smooth concave surfaces of the upper and lower shells, comprising: smooth convex upper and lower surfaces complementary and adjacent to the smooth contact area of the inner surfaces of the respective upper and lower shells; a shoulder circumscribing each of the smooth convex upper and lower surfaces and adapted to contact the stop of the adjacent shell and limit relative motion of the central body with respect to the shell; a laterally extending equatorial ridge disposed between the stop of the upper shell and the stop of the lower shell; and an opening in the upper and lower convex contact surfaces adapted to receive the axial post of the inner surface of each shell to limit relative motion of the central body with respect to the shell; an elastic sheath disposed between the upper and lower shells and surrounding the central body, comprising: an inner surface; an outer surface; an upper edge secured to the upper shell, and a lower edge secured to the lower shell, wherein the inner surface of the sheath and the inner surfaces of the shells define an enclosing cavity.