Patent ID: 7976579

Claim:
An intervertebral disc augmentation implant for implantation between a pair of vertebral bodies comprising: a core member having a first height dimension along an axis defined by the pair of vertebral bodies and a cavity running perpendicular to the axis, wherein the core member is formed of an elastic polymer; a first post and a second post each having a top portion and a bottom portion, each bottom portion having a plurality of teeth, the first and second posts are disposed substantially in the center of the core member along the axis, the bottom portions of the first and second post extending into the cavity at opposite sides of the cavity, the top portions each having a spherical shape; and a plug having a tapered portion with engaging mechanisms that are configured to mate with the plurality of teeth of the bottom portions of the first and second post; wherein the plug is inserted into the cavity and advanced between the bottom portions of the first and second post, thereby expanding the core member from the first height dimension to a second height dimension, wherein the plug further comprises a cylindrical body formed of the same material as the core member and molded to the tapered portion, and wherein the cylindrical body is configured to fill the cavity when the plug is inserted and advanced in the cavity of the core member.