Intervertebral endoprosthesis
First Claim
1. An intervertebral endoprosthesis for insertion into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae, said intervertebral endoprosthesis comprising:
- first and second base members, each having a first surface configured to engage one of the vertebrae and a second opposite surface;
a resilient insert disposed between said base members, said insert comprising an outer shell defining an interior chamber, said outer shell disposed in contacting engagement with said second surface of each of said first and second base members, said resilient insert further including a core disposed within said chamber, said core being integral with said outer shell;
first and second coupling members, each of said coupling members extending between said core and one of said base members, said first and second coupling members independently coupling said first and second base members, respectively, to said resilient insert, wherein said first and second base members are movable independently of one another and the adjacent vertebrae are movable independently of one another when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted into the disc space;
wherein said resilient insert is a monolithic insert; and
wherein said resilient insert and each of said base members are slidable relative to each other in any direction along a spherical surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intervertebral endoprosthesis for insertion into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae is provided that includes first and second base members, each having a first surface configured to engage one of the vertebrae and a second opposite surface and a resilient insert disposed between the base members. The insert includes an outer shell defining an interior chamber and is disposed in contacting engagement with the second surface of each of the base members. The resilient insert further includes a core disposed within the chamber and connected to the outer shell. The intervertebral endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling members, each of the coupling members extending between the core of the resilient insert and one of the base members. The first and second coupling members independently couple the first and second base members to the resilient insert, wherein the first and second base members are movable independently of one another and the adjacent vertebrae are movable independently of one another when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted into the disc space.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An intervertebral endoprosthesis for insertion into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae, said intervertebral endoprosthesis comprising:
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first and second base members, each having a first surface configured to engage one of the vertebrae and a second opposite surface; a resilient insert disposed between said base members, said insert comprising an outer shell defining an interior chamber, said outer shell disposed in contacting engagement with said second surface of each of said first and second base members, said resilient insert further including a core disposed within said chamber, said core being integral with said outer shell; first and second coupling members, each of said coupling members extending between said core and one of said base members, said first and second coupling members independently coupling said first and second base members, respectively, to said resilient insert, wherein said first and second base members are movable independently of one another and the adjacent vertebrae are movable independently of one another when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted into the disc space;
wherein said resilient insert is a monolithic insert; and
wherein said resilient insert and each of said base members are slidable relative to each other in any direction along a spherical surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 15)
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6. An intervertebral endoprosthesis for insertion into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae, said intervertebral endoprosthesis comprising:
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first and second base members, each having a first surface configured to engage one of the vertebrae and a second opposite surface; a unitary resilient insert disposed between said base members, said insert comprising an outer shell defining an interior chamber, said outer shell disposed in contacting engagement with said second surface of each of said first and second base members, said resilient insert further including a core disposed within said chamber and connected to said outer shell, wherein said core is spaced apart from said outer shell; first and second coupling members, each having a head disposed within said chamber and in contacting engagement with said core and a stem extending from said head to one of said base members, said first and second coupling members independently coupling said first and second base members, respectively, to said resilient insert, wherein said first and second base members are movable independently of one another and the adjacent vertebrae are movable independently of one another when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted into said disc space wherein said unitary resilient insert is a monolithic insert; and
wherein said unitary resilient insert and each of said base members are slidable relative to each other in any direction along a spherical surface. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacturing an intervertebral endoprosthesis that approximates the mechanical properties of a natural intervertebral disc disposed between two adjacent vertebrae and permits approximately the same freedom-of-motion of the vertebrae, in all directions, as that permitted by the natural intervertebral disc, when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted between the two adjacent vertebrae after excision of the natural disc, comprising:
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providing first and second base members and a unitary resilient insert disposed between the base members; forming said unitary resilient insert to include an outer shell defining an interior chamber and a core disposed within the chamber and connected to but spaced from the outer shell; using a pair of coupling members to independently couple the base members to the resilient insert comprising placing a proximal portion of each of the coupling members in contacting engagement with the core and configuring a distal portion of each of the coupling members to extend between the corresponding proximal portion and one of the base members wherein said unitary resilient insert is a monolithic insert; and
wherein said unitary resilient insert and each of said base members are slidable relative to each other in any direction along a spherical surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification