Abstract: An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface(64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40).

Abstract: An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an upper retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A lower retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core interconnects the upper and lower retaining members. The resilient core has an upper surface affixed to the inner surface of the upper retaining member. The resilient core has a lower surface affixed to the inner surface of the lower retaining member. The resilient core has a surface extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces toward another of the upper and lower surfaces and at least partially defining an empty space extending from the one of the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an upper retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A lower retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core interconnects the upper and lower retaining members. The resilient core has an upper surface affixed to the inner surface of the upper retaining member. The resilient core has a lower surface affixed to the inner surface of the lower retaining member. The resilient core has a surface extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces toward another of the upper and lower surfaces and at least partially defining an empty space extending from the one of the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface(64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40).

Abstract: An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface (64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40).

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a cranial flap (20) to a skull (10) includes an attachment device (40) having relatively movable first and second members (42 and 44). The first member (40) has first and second surfaces (56 and 58) for engaging first and second kerf edges (24 and 26), respectively, of a kerf (22). The second member (44) has third and fourth surfaces (120 and 122) for engaging the first and second kerf edges (24 and 26), respectively. A shaft (46) connects the first and second members (42 and 44). The shaft (46) is attached to the second member (44) and extends through an opening (114) in the first member (42).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for attaching a cranial flap (20) to a skull (10). The cranial flap (20) and the skull (10) are spaced apart by a kerf (22) defined by a first kerf edge (24) on the cranial flap and a second kerf edge (28) on the skull. The apparatus comprises at least one attachment device (30) made of a bioabsorbable polymeric material and having a head portion (40), a main body portion (32), and an end portion (50). The end portion (50) is deformable from an axially extending first condition to a radially extending second condition by heating the end portion and forming the end portion around the first kerf edge (24), which clamps the attachment device (30) to the cranial flap (20). The main body portion (32) includes a first surface portion (36) that attaches to the first kerf edge (24) and a second surface portion (38) that attaches to the second kerf edge (28).

Abstract: An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface (64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40).

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a cranial flap (20) to a skull (10) comprises an attachment device (40) having relatively movable first and second members (42 and 44). The first member (40) has first and second surfaces (56 and 58) for engaging first and second kerf edges (24 and 26), respectively, of a kerf (22). The second member (44) has third and fourth surfaces (120 and 122) for engaging the first and second kerf edges (24 and 26), respectively. A shaft (46) connects the first and second members (42 and 44). The shaft (46) is attached to the second member (44) and extends through an opening (114) in the first member (42).