Anterior prosthetic spinal disc replacement

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc via anterior or anterior lateral implantation. Other surgical approaches for implanting the prosthetic disc may also be used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intervertebral prosthetic disc comprising:
 a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a curved second surface, wherein the first endplate includes at least one stop;   a second endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a curved second surface configured to correspondingly engage the curved second surface of the first endplate, wherein the second endplate includes an opposing surface corresponding to each stop of the first endplate;   wherein the first endplate and the second endplate complement each other to permit movement in a medial to lateral direction and in an anterior to posterior direction.   
     
     
         2 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the first endplate contains a first keel. 
     
     
         3 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 2 , wherein the first surface of the second endplate includes a second keel. 
     
     
         4 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 3 , wherein the first keel is configured to engage a groove in the first vertebral body. 
     
     
         5 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 4 , wherein the second keel is configured to engage with a groove in the second vertebral body. 
     
     
         6 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second keels has at least one slot extending a length downwardly from a distal edge of the keel to the base of the keel. 
     
     
         7 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the first and second keels includes a leading edge that includes a chamfer for aligning and inserting the keel into the groove in the first and second vertebral bodies. 
     
     
         8 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 7 , wherein the keel comprises more than one slot. 
     
     
         9 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 8 , wherein the first endplate includes at least two stops. 
     
     
         10 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 9 , wherein a resilient member is disposed between the at least two stops. 
     
     
         11 . An intervertebral prosthetic disc comprising:
 a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a curved second surface, wherein the first endplate includes a first stop and a second stop;   a second endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a curved second surface configured to correspondingly engage the curved second surface of the first endplate, wherein the second endplate includes a first opposing surface configured to engage the first stop and a second opposing surface to engage the second stop;   wherein the first endplate and the second endplate complement each other to permit movement in a medial to lateral direction and in an anterior to posterior direction.   
     
     
         12 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 11 , wherein the first surface of the first endplate contains a first keel. 
     
     
         13 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface of the second endplate includes a second keel. 
     
     
         14 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 13 , wherein the first keel is configured to engage a groove in the first vertebral body. 
     
     
         15 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 14 , wherein the second keel is configured to engage with a groove in the second vertebral body. 
     
     
         16 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second keels has at least one slot extending a length downwardly from a distal edge of the keel to the base of the keel. 
     
     
         17 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one of the first and second keels includes a leading edge that includes a chamfer for aligning and inserting the keel into the groove in the first and second vertebral bodies. 
     
     
         18 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 17 , wherein the keel comprises more than one slot. 
     
     
         19 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 18 , wherein the first endplate includes at least two stops. 
     
     
         20 . The intervertebral prosthetic disc of  claim 19 , wherein a resilient member is disposed between the at least two stops.