Patent ID: 7128761

Claim:
An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising: a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface; a first retaining device fixedly attached to said first surface of said resilient core, said first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface opposed to said first surface of said resilient core; and a second retaining device fixedly connected to said second surface of said resilient core, said second retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface opposed to said second surface of said resilient core; said inner surface of said first retaining device being spaced from said core and defining a substantially enclosed space, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said first retaining device upon relative movement between said first and second retaining devices.