Patent · US Expired

Artificial intervertebral disc device

US7001433B2 · kind B2 · utility

79Cited by
113References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 2002
Grant dateFeb 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 29, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S606/907
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.