Prosthetic disc for intervertebral insertion

Abstract

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic disc comprising:
 upper and lower plates, each plate having an outer surface which engages a vertebra and a curved inner bearing surface;   a core having first and second outer surfaces which are each complementary in shape to, mate with and slide over the corresponding bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates in an implantation configuration when the prosthetic disc is inserted between adjacent vertebrae;   a retaining formation on the lower plate, the retaining formation including at least one inwardly facing groove at an edge of the curved inner bearing surface of the lower plate;   at least one outwardly facing flange formed at an outer periphery of the core, the flange engaging the retaining formation on the lower plate to hold the core between the upper and lower plates as the core slides over the bearing surface of the lower plate; and   wherein the entire core is movable with respect to the upper and lower plates in the implantation configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower plates are metallic and the core comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein the outwardly facing flange comprises a number of spaced flange segments. 
     
     
         4 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the curved inner bearing surfaces and at least one of the first and second outer surface are cooperating spherical surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates each comprise an upstanding central fin. 
     
     
         6 . The disc of  claim 5 , wherein the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates comprise a rough microfinish. 
     
     
         7 . The disc of  claim 6 , wherein the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates are coated with titanium plasma spray. 
     
     
         8 . The disc of  claim 2 , wherein the core comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         9 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein the core includes convex outer surfaces on both the upper and lower surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein no retaining formation is provided on the upper plate. 
     
     
         11 . The disc of  claim 1 , wherein no inwardly facing groove is provided on the upper plate. 
     
     
         12 . A method of retaining a core in a prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:
 providing upper and lower plates, each plate having an outer surface which engages a vertebra and a curved inner bearing surface;   providing a retaining formation on the lower plate, the retaining formation including at least one inwardly facing groove at an edge of the curved inner bearing surface of the lower plate;   inserting a core between the upper and lower plates, the core having first and second outer surfaces which are each complementary in shape to, mate with and slide over the corresponding bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates in an implantation configuration when the prosthetic disc is inserted between adjacent vertebrae;   holding the core between the upper and lower plates by providing at least one outwardly facing flange formed at an outer periphery of the core, the flange engaging the retaining formation on the lower plate to hold the core between the upper and lower plates as the core slides over the bearing surface of the lower plate, while allowing the upper and lower plates to move with respect to one another and with respect to the entire core.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower plates are metallic and the core comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the outwardly facing flange comprises a number of spaced flange segments. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates each with an upstanding central fin for fixation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates comprise a rough microfinish for further fixation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates are coated with titanium plasma spray for further fixation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the core comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein no retaining formation is provided on the upper plate.