Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis, which with respect to its external dimensions imitates a natural intervertebral disk, which in the implanted state in its axis (4) connects two adjacent vertebrae and which comprises an upper and a lower attachment surface (2, 3), whereby the intervertebral disk member (1) is in one piece and is made from a strong, elastically deformable material, characterised in that the intervertebral disk member (1) comprises parallel, partially overlapping slits (5) at right angles to the axis (4), with adjacent slits (5) in an overlapping region (6) forming parts of leaf springs (7, 12, 13, 15) for the transmission of forces from the upper attachment surface (2) to the lower attachment surface (3).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to Claim 1, characterised in that the slit width (10) and leaf spring thickness (11) are selected so that when determined pressure and/or bending loads are exceeded, the slit width (10) is reduced to zero at certain points and displacement restrictions are produced before the elastic limit is reached in the leaf springs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the strong, elastically deformable material is metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the leaf spring (12) of one plane is clamped at three distinct locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the leaf spring (13) of one plane is clamped at two distinct locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the leaf spring (15) of one plane is clamped at one distinct location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the free ends (14) of leaf springs (7) act as spiral springs with the unilateral reduction of the slit width (10) to zero and act as displacement restrictions with the bilateral reduction of the slit width (10) to zero.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that with respect to manufacture the base (16) of slits (5) can be achieved by a tangential generatrix (17).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the attachment surfaces (2, 3) converge in a wedge shape from the ventral to the dorsal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the attachment surfaces (2, 3) have a structure (19) for the primary attachment to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least parts of the attachment surfaces (2, 3) have a convex design in order to be centred and attached in intraoperatively produced concave counter-faces of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An intervertebral disk prosthesis according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the attachment surfaces (2, 3) comprise parts of a collar (21) projecting to the adjacent vertebra to prevent slipping of the intervertebral disk prosthesis.