Patent ID: 8066774

Claim:
An artificial disc for implantation within an intervertebral disc space between first and second vertebrae, comprising: a first endplate member having an outer surface for contacting an endplate of an adjacent first vertebra and an opposite inner surface, said first endplate member including a body portion extending between a distal leading end and a proximal trailing end; a second endplate member having an outer surface for contacting an endplate of an adjacent second vertebra and an opposite inner surface, said second endplate member including a body portion extending between a distal leading end and a proximal trailing end; a spacer member extending between and engaging said first and second endplate members in movable relation to one another; and an anchoring member extending from said outer surface of at least one of said first and second endplate members, said anchoring member extending distally from a first end adjacent said proximal trailing end to a distal end wall spaced distally from said first end of said anchoring member and located proximally of said distal leading end of said endplate member, said distal end wall of said anchoring member defining a height extending from said outer surface of said endplate member that is greater than a height of said first end extending from said outer surface of said endplate member, said distal end wall of said anchoring member including a first width that is greater than a second width of said anchoring member at said first end, wherein said anchoring member tapers from said height at said distal end wall to said height of said first end and said anchoring member tapers from said first width to said second width.