Patent ID: 7276082

Claim:
An intervertebral disc prosthesis for insertion between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a superior component for engaging the superior vertebra, the superior component comprising: a superior surface for contacting an endplate of the superior vertebra; a pair of superior rails extending from the superior surface substantially parallel to each other; a superior bone in-growth area located on the superior surface between the pair of rails; and a superior bone in-growth indicator comprising a sloped surface extending from an edge of the superior surface towards the superior bone in-growth area; and an inferior component for articulating with the superior component and for engaging the inferior vertebra, the inferior component comprising: an inferior surface for contacting an endplate of the inferior vertebra; a pair of inferior rails extending from the inferior surface substantially parallel to each other; an inferior bone in-growth area located on the inferior surface between the pair of rails; and an inferior bone in-growth indicator comprising a sloped surface extending from an edge of the inferior surface towards the inferior bone in-growth area; wherein the edge of the superior surface extends beyond the endplate of the superior vertebra when the prosthesis is inserted between the superior and inferior vertebrae.