Ball and dual socket joint
US7195644B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00592
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.