Patent ID: 8016885

Claim:
An assembly for implantation into an intervertebral space between a first and a second vertebra, the assembly comprising: a pair of components, a first of the pair of components adapted to be inserted into the intervertebral space and in contact with a vertical face of the first vertebra and a second of the pair of components adapted to be inserted into the intervertebral space and in contact with a vertical face of the second vertebra; and a central core, pivotally engaged in the intervertebral space between the pair of components such that translational motion of the pair of components relative to each other is mitigated, wherein each component comprises: a first portion with a generally planar shape, with a surface thereof adapted for gripping an endface of the vertebra with which it is used and an opposing surface for engaging the central core; and a second portion, also with a generally planar shape, the second portion being oriented at about ninety degrees to the first portion and aligned substantially to one side of a centerline of the first portion, with a surface adapted to engage the vertical face of the vertebra with which it is used and, the second portions of the pair of components are arranged asymmetrically such that the second portion of the first of the components is offset relative to the second portion of the second of the pair of components along a centerline of the assembly normal to a plane parallel to the first portions of the pair of components and wherein the second portions of the pair of components are oriented away from each other such that each second portion extends from the respective first portion, the second portion is provided with a hole adapted for insertion of a fastener therethrough into the vertical face of a respective vertebra with which it is used, the hole is oversized relative to a shaft of the fastener to allow one or more of sliding or pivoting therein and a captive ring disposed in the hole, where the ring receives a head of the fastener in a manner that causes the fastener to be held therein.