Patent ID: 8632591

Claim:
A nucleus prosthesis comprising: a plurality of segments, including a leading segment and a trailing segment each having a leading face, a trailing face, and an external face; and a ligament coupling the segments, the prosthesis having: an open position in which the segments are disposed along the ligament in a serial line with the leading segment at an end of the serial line and the trailing segment at another end of the serial line; and a closed position in which the segments are disposed to form a disc shape with the leading face of the leading segment and the trailing face of the trailing segment substantially apposed and the external faces of the leading segment and the trailing segment disposed along the exterior circumference of the disk shape with the ligament entering and exiting the leading segment at least through openings on the external face of the leading segment and entering and exiting the trailing segment at least through openings on the external face of the trailing segment.