Patent ID: 7393361

Claim:
An artificial intervertebral disc, comprising: a first baseplate having a first baseplate aperture; a second baseplate having a second baseplate aperture; and a bearing mechanism coupled to said first baseplate and said second baseplate, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises a semispherical bearing and a pair of retaining caps connected to each other by compression locking posts; and said semispherical bearing including a first through bore having a first diameter and a second through bore having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, said first and second through bores being aligned with one another; said pair of retaining caps including a first retaining cap having a first post insertible into said first through bore and a second retaining cap having a second post insertible into said second through bore; wherein said first baseplate and said second baseplate rotate relative to said bearing mechanism; and wherein rotation of said first baseplate to at least one angular position relative to said bearing mechanism extends said bearing mechanism through said first baseplate aperture.