(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (io) Pub. No.: US 2004/0225364 Al
Richelsoph et al. (43) Pub. Date: Nov. 11,2004
(54) ARTIFICIAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
(76) Inventors: Marc Richelsoph, Bartlett, TN (US);
Joseph Clift, Bartlett, TN (US)
Correspondence Address:
Andrew M. Parial
Kohn & Associates, PLLC
Suite 410
30500 Northwestern Hwy.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (US)
(21) Appl. No.: 10/700,748
(22) Filed: Nov. 3, 2003
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part ol application No. 10/653,540, filed on Sep. 2, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part ol application No. 10/430,861, filed on May 6, 2003.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.7 A61F 2/44
An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members including spaced inner surfaces lacing each other and oppositely lacing outer surfaces lor engaging spaced apart intervertebral surfaces; sell-adjusting bearing mechanisms operatively disposed between the inner surfaces lor moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and positioning ring for controlling motion and position ol the bearing mechanisms and for absorption ol compressive loads. An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members having an oval recess on the inner surfaces; oval bearing mechanisms operatively disposed within the oval recess between the inner surfaces for moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and oval positioning ring. A spring member for an artificial intervertebral disc including a substantially annular body having an axially extended bore therethrough defining a passageway.
