ARTICULATING SPINAL PROSTHESIS

Abstract

An endoprosthesis including a first articulating member formed with a generally concave articulating surface, a second articulating member formed with a generally convex articulating surface which articulates with the concave articulating surface, the first and second articulating members each having a generally planar attachment surface for attachment to spine structure, and limiting members formed in each of the convex and concave articulating surfaces that mate with each other and limit the amount of relative movement between the convex and concave articulating surfaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified perspective top view and exploded view illustrations, respectively, of an endoprosthesis, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C are simplified illustrations of an endoprosthesis, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein two articulation members articulate against a third articulation member;

FIGS. 3A-3C are simplified illustrations of an endoprosthesis, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, which may be similar in construction to the endoprosthesis of FIGS. 2A-2C, except that the third articulation member may be constructed as a hollow member;

FIGS. 4A-4C are simplified illustrations of an endoprosthesis, constructed and operative in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first articulation member comprises a plurality of bulbous articulation surfaces that articulate with a second articulation member;

FIGS. 5A-5C are simplified illustrations of an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 4A-4C, but with an additional elastomeric member between the first and second articulation members; and

FIGS. 6A-6C are simplified illustrations of an endoprosthesis, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with male and female members associated with the articulation members.

Claims

1. An endoprosthesis comprising: a first articulating member formed with a generally concave articulating surface;a second articulating member formed with a generally convex articulating surface which articulates with said concave articulating surface, said first and second articulating members each having a generally planar attachment surface for attachment to spine structure; andlimiting members formed in each of said convex and concave articulating surfaces that mate with each other and limit the amount of relative movement between said convex and concave articulating surfaces.

2. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said limiting members comprise at least one ridge protruding from one of the articulating surfaces that sits and moves in at least one groove formed in the other the articulating surface.

3. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said limiting members comprise a pair of generally orthogonal ridges protruding from one of the articulating surfaces that sit and move in corresponding generally orthogonal grooves formed in the other the articulating surface.

4. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said limiting members comprise at least one cord that flexibly connects the articulating surfaces to each other.

5. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said convex articulating surface comprises a plurality of bulbous articulation surfaces, and wherein said limiting members are formed in at least one of said bulbous articulation surfaces.

6. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric member positioned between said first and second articulation members.

7. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein one of said articulation members comprises a varying height element whose protrusion from its attachment surface is adjustable.

8. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said at least one ridge and said at least one groove are trapezoidal in cross section.