Patent ID: 8603174

Claim:
An apparatus for dynamic spinal arthroplasty comprising: an implant for placement between two adjacent vertebral bodies which replaces tissue damaged by trauma or disease, the implant comprising a pair of opposed fixation surfaces, each fixation surface adapted to be interfaced with a bone surface of one of the two adjacent vertebral bodies and having an at least partially convex shape; and two cooperating articular surfaces for articulating in contact with each other and enabling physiological loading and movement of the two adjacent vertebral bodies with respect to one another, a first articular surface in back to back disposition with a first of the pair of fixation surfaces and a second articular surface in back to back disposition with a second of the pair of fixation surfaces, each articular surface having an at least partially convex shape that articulates with a convex portion of the cooperating articular surface and comprising a material that is both lubricious and elastically deformable.