Patent ID: 8088164

Claim:
A spinal implant, comprising: a first connection plate having a first surface dimensioned to contact a first vertebral body, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a generally spherical hinge extending from the second surface; a second connection plate having a first surface dimensioned to contact a second vertebral body, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a walled section extending from the second surface to define a receiving area, wherein the walled section of the receiving area is rectangular; a hinge core dimensioned to be received at least partially within the receiving area of the second connection plate, the hinge core including an opening and a generally spherical depression extending from the opening, wherein the opening is dimensioned to be elastically deformed to allow the generally spherical hinge of the first connection plate to pass through the opening and into the generally spherical depression; wherein the hinge core slides on a slide surface substantially parallel to the second connection plate after the spinal implant is implanted between the vertebral bodies; and wherein the generally spherical depression encloses the generally spherical hinge within an enclosure angle of more than 180 degrees.