Artificial spinal disc
First Claim
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1. An artificial disc for a human spine, said disc being adapted to replace a natural disc and to be located between two vertebrae, said disc comprising:
- (a) upper and lower members, each having a rear portion and a front portion,(b) said upper and lower members having hinge-like means adapted to permit a hinging motion of said upper and lower members relative to each other about said rear portions,(c) spring means positioned between said upper and lower members and biasing said front portions apart,(d) means securing said upper and lower members together and for permitting said hinging motion,(e) said upper member having means for rigidly securing said upper member to a first vertebrae above said upper member, and said lower member having means for rigidly securing said lower member to a second vertebrae below said lower member,(f) said means for rigidly securing said upper member comprising an upwardly extending projection adapted for mechanically locking said first member to said first vertebrae, and said means for rigidly securing said lower member comprising a downwardly extending projection adapted for mechanically locking said lower member to said second vertebrae,(g) said upper and lower members and said spring means all being made of a biocompatible metal alloy.
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Abstract
An artificial disc for a human spine. The disc has upper and lower members hinged together at their rear portions and biased apart at their fronts by stiff coil springs. Rear stop surfaces limit the opening movement of the members. Vertically projecting tabs at the front and side of each member are rigidly screwed to the adjacent vertebrae. Tolerances in the hinge allow limited side to side rocking. The disc and screws are made of titanium alloy or cobalt chrome alloy. In a modified version a hinge pin is replaced by cables tying the members together.
1443 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An artificial disc for a human spine, said disc being adapted to replace a natural disc and to be located between two vertebrae, said disc comprising:
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(a) upper and lower members, each having a rear portion and a front portion, (b) said upper and lower members having hinge-like means adapted to permit a hinging motion of said upper and lower members relative to each other about said rear portions, (c) spring means positioned between said upper and lower members and biasing said front portions apart, (d) means securing said upper and lower members together and for permitting said hinging motion, (e) said upper member having means for rigidly securing said upper member to a first vertebrae above said upper member, and said lower member having means for rigidly securing said lower member to a second vertebrae below said lower member, (f) said means for rigidly securing said upper member comprising an upwardly extending projection adapted for mechanically locking said first member to said first vertebrae, and said means for rigidly securing said lower member comprising a downwardly extending projection adapted for mechanically locking said lower member to said second vertebrae, (g) said upper and lower members and said spring means all being made of a biocompatible metal alloy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification