Flexure limiter for spinal prosthesis

Abstract

Apparatus including a first spinal prosthetic member that may articulate with a second spinal prosthetic member, the first and second spinal prosthetic members flexing relative to one another about a lateral-medial axis corresponding to a lateral-medial axis of a body, and a flexure limiting member attached to the first and second spinal prosthetic members that limits flexure about the lateral-medial axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a first spinal prosthetic member that flexes relative to a second spinal prosthetic member about a lateral-medial axis corresponding to a lateral-medial axis of a body; and   a flexure limiting member attached to said first and second spinal prosthetic members, which limits flexure about the lateral-medial axis.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spinal prosthetic member articulates with said second spinal prosthetic member. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spinal prosthetic member comprises a first attachment member and a first articulating member that extends therefrom, and said second spinal prosthetic member comprises a second attachment member and a second articulating member that extends therefrom, said first articulating member articulating with said second articulating member and said first and second attachment members being attachable to spinal structure, wherein said flexure limiting member is attached to said first and second attachment members. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first articulating member articulates omnidirectionally with said second articulating member. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said flexure limiting member is attached to a non-peripheral portion of said first and second attachment members. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said flexure limiting member is attached to a peripheral portion of said first and second attachment members. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexure limiting member comprises one or more slim elongate members. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexure limiting member is pre-shaped with one or more bends. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexure limiting member has at least one first curved portion and a second curved portion, curved opposite to the at least one first curved portion and joined thereto at an inflection point. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said flexure limiting member comprises attachment elements at ends thereof for attachment to said first and second attachment members. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexure limiting member comprises an at least partial boot. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a boot placed at least partially around said first and second articulating members. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexure limiting member is constructed of at least one of polyurethane and polyetheretherketone.