Patent ID: 7927373

Claim:
An assembly comprising: a disc insertion tool having an insertion arm; and an intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a) a first prosthesis component including a first vertebra facing surface, a first bearing surface, at least one first vertebra engagement tooth extending from the first vertebra facing surface, the at least one first vertebra engagement tooth and the first vertebra facing surface forming an interface, and a channel formed in the first prosthesis component, the insertion arm of the disc insertion tool being received within the channel, and the channel being defined by (i) a ramp surface that is recessed below the first vertebra facing surface and said interface, (ii) a first lateral sidewall extending from said ramp surface to said first vertebra facing surface, and (iii) a second lateral sidewall spaced apart from said first lateral sidewall and extending from said ramp surface to said first vertebra facing surface; b) a second prosthesis component including a second vertebra facing surface, a second bearing surface, and at least one second vertebra engagement tooth extending from the second vertebra facing surface; and c) an intermediate prosthesis component positioned between the first prosthesis component and the second prosthesis component, said intermediate prosthesis component having (i) a third bearing surface positioned in contact with said first bearing surface of said first prosthesis component, and (ii) a fourth bearing surface positioned in contact with said second bearing surface of said second prosthesis component.