Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An artificial spinal disc (1), which articulates, said disc comprising: a first plate (1) having a first outer periphery, a substantially flat first superior
surface (2), a first inferior articulating surface (3), a first anterior end (A1), a first
posterior end (PS1), a first lateral side (L1) and a second lateral side (L2); and a second plate (10) having a second outer periphery, a substantially flat second inferior
surface (11), a second superior articulating surface (12), a second anterior end (A10), a
second posterior end (PS10), a third lateral side (L10) and a fourth lateral side (L12); wherein: said first and second plates (1,10) can articulate in an anteroposterior fashion when
said first inferior surface (3), said first anterior end (A1) and said first
posterior end (PS1), are juxtaposed, said second superior surface (12), said second
anterior end (A10) and said second posterior end (PS10), respectively; said disc has an instant center of rotation in flexion which moves in an anteroposterior
direction during anteroposterior articulation of said disc; characterized in that at least one of said first inferior articulating surface (3) and said second superior
articulating surface (12) comprises a changing anteroposterior radius of curvature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said articulating first inferior (3) and
second superior surfaces (10) have major portions which are substantially
complementary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 2, wherein said first and second outer
peripheries are substantially kidney shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein said first plate (1) is
superior to said second plate (10).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein said second plate (10) is
superior to said first plate (1).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein the first inferior articulating
surface (3) is bimodal convex-shaped and the second superior articulating surface (12)
is bimodal concave-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 6, wherein a first mode of said bimodal convex-shaped
first inferior surface (3) is a substantial mirror image of a second mode of said
bimodal convex-shaped first inferior surface (3).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 6, wherein a first mode of said bimodal
concave-shaped second superior surface (12) is a substantial mirror image of a second
mode of said bimodal concave-shaped second superior surface (12).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein the spinal disc has
bilateral symmetry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and
second plates (1,10) comprises at least one attachment means (6,7,16,17), more
preferably two different attachment means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said first and
second plates (1,10) includes a hole (8,15) therethrough for use in securing at least one
plate to a vertebra.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein each mode of said
bimodal convex-shaped first inferior surface (3) is disposed along a midline between
said first anterior (A1) and said first posterior ends (PS1).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The artificial spinal disc of any preceding claim, wherein said first and second
plates (1,10) can have modes of articulation selected from:- translation in a lateral to lateral direction with respect to one another; rotation with
respect to one another about a vertical axis; and/or reciprocating articulation only in
an anterior to posterior and posterior to anterior fashion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 6, wherein: said articulating bimodal convex-shaped first inferior articulating surface (3)
comprises a bicondylar structure wherein each condyle (4,5) comprises the same
changing radius of curvature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 14 wherein said radius of curvature describes a
Fibonacci mathematical series.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 15, wherein said rotation is limited to being
within a normal physiological range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 6, wherein each of said convex-shaped first
inferior surface (3) and said concave-shaped second superior surface (12) are defined
by variable coronal and sagittal arcs that permit said first and second plates (1,10) to
rotate relative to one another about a vertical axis in a limited fashion.