Patent ID: 8303659

Claim:
A system for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising: an intervertebral disc including: first and second baseplates coupled together for articulating movement relative to one another with at least one of said baseplates having one or more openings formed in an inner face thereof; an articulation member mounted on the first baseplate, the articulation member having a spherical outer surface with a recess therein, the recess having a stop surface; and a housing mounted on the articulation member and the second baseplate, the housing having an articulation surface for contact with the spherical outer surface of the articulation member, the articulation surface of the housing having a protrusion extending therefrom into the recess in the articulation member, wherein articulation of the first and second baseplates with respect to one another is limited when the protrusion of the articulation surface of the housing contacts the stop surface of the recess of the articulation member; a holding instrument for securing said intervertebral disc, said holding instrument including: a shaft; a body attached to a distal end of said shaft; and a hook extendable from said body, said hook being movable between an extended position in which said hook is insertable into the one or more openings and a retracted position in which said hook pulls said intervertebral disc against said body.