Method and apparatus for computerized surgery

Abstract

An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.

1 . A vertebral disc prosthesis comprising a central portion and a unconnected annular portion about said central portion; 
 wherein said central portion is constructed of flexible and resilient polymeric material forming a generally cylindrical body defining an internal void; said central portion comprising a bi-directional valve means for inflating and deflating said internal void; and    when said annular portion, is coiled about, and in contact with, said central portion, and is constructed of flexible and resilient polymeric material formed as a strap operatively configured for to remind in-situ coiling about said central portion.