Patent ID: 7763076

Claim:
A subassembly for a spinal disc prosthesis, said subassembly comprising: a first endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate having a respective bone-contacting surface and a respective non-bone contacting surface opposite said respective bone-contacting surface; a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, further comprising a polymeric member internal cavity therein having an opening adjacent each of said respective non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate; wherein said polymeric member internal cavity has a polymeric member internal cavity cross-section in a plane parallel to at least one of said respective non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate; wherein said first endplate further comprises an endplate opening through said bone contacting surface and said non-bone contacting surface further comprising an endplate opening cross-section; wherein said endplate opening cross-section and said polymeric member internal cavity cross-section are geometrically substantially similar to each other; said endplate opening being large enough for insertion therethrough of internal components; in combination with a cover joinable with said endplate opening, so as to close said polymeric member internal cavity and to cover said endplate opening and form a continuous endplate.