Abstract: Total joint replacements for implants include a first member configured to attach to a first bone, a second member configured to reside in an adjacent second bone and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to (i) lock the first and second members in alignment for full extension or other defined stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock to allow the first and second members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending.

Abstract: A modular nucleus pulposus prosthesis having at least two hingedly connected tear drop shaped disc bodies which combined to form a discoid endoprosthetic disc. The complimentary segments are substantially identical including outer circumferential walls roughly equal to a semi-circle aligned along concave-convex inner wall inner walls forming a common “s” shaped border and are positioned to form a generally symmetrical discoid congruent structure which can be placed within the annulus of a spinal disc section. Disc segments may define structures to support, position and secure the segments to one another intradiscally.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis (1) having a talar implant (2) designed to be implanted in or on the talus (3), a tibial implant (4) designed to be implanted in or on the tibia (5), and an intermediate implant (6) designed to be interposed between the tibial implant and the talar implant. The intermediate implant (6) is designed to be mounted to move relative to the talar implant (2) at a contact interface (7) in order to allow the ankle to move. The ankle prosthesis (1) has configurable coupling means (10) designed to enable the intermediate implant (6) to be arranged relative to the tibial implant (4) in a specific configuration chosen from among a plurality of possible configurations.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc endoprosthesis for implantation in the spinal column, with an upper end plate and a lower end plate for securing respectively to the bones of the vertebral body, and with a slide bearing which is arranged between the end plates and is composed of slide bodies that are designed to slide on each other. both end plates are made of plastic and the slide bodies are made of ceramic, the slide bodies are encapsulated by the plastic of the end plates and the surface areas of the slide bodies encapsulated by the plastic of the end plates have surface area enlargements by comparison with flat surfaces. To ensure that the slide bodies are connected fixedly to the end plates in a manner secure against twisting, it is proposed that the surface area enlargements are elevations or depressions on the slide bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc via anterior or anterior lateral implantation. Other surgical approaches for implanting the prosthetic disc may also be used.

Abstract: Total disc replacement systems and related methods involving a lateral, trans-psoas surgical approach to the spine while performing at least one of continuous and intermittent intra-operative neural monitoring of the psoas muscle to avoid injury during introduction.

Abstract: A joint implant includes an upper and a lower implant part which are connected to each other, and a longitudinal axis of the implant. The implant parts each include a joint part having a joint region and an abutment part that can be abutted against the respective bone. The joint part and the abutment part are detachably connected to each other. The two joint parts each include a joint region and cooperate with each other, thus forming the articulated connection, or with an intermediate element having opposite upper and lower sides as abutment surfaces, thus forming two sub-joint. A connecting device interconnects the upper and lower implant part so as to form a coherent assembly and that can change its position relative to the upper and/or lower joint part.

Abstract: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The implants may be coupled together by a detachable coupler which can align and rigidly hold the inferior and superior articular surfaces in a preferred alignment relative to one another. A portion of the coupler may be deformable to allow detachment of the coupler from at least one of the implants. In one method of implantation, the superior and inferior implants may be aligned and coupled together with the coupler, and then secured to fixation members anchored in adjacent vertebrae. Alternatively, a first implant may be secured to a fixation member anchored in a first vertebra, and a second implant coupled to the coupler, aligned with the first implant and then secured to a fixation member anchored in a second vertebra.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant device for supporting vertebral bodies can include first and second body members and first and second expansion mechanisms. The body members can each have a first end positionable toward one of the vertebral bodies and can each define a hollow interior. The expansion mechanisms can be spaced apart from each other and can include a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, respectively. The first and second drive shafts can each have a gear member fixedly coupled thereto. Each drive shaft can be threadably engaged at a first side to the first body member and at a second side to the second body member. The expansion mechanisms can be operable to effect axial displacement of the first body member relative to the second body member by rotationally driving the gear members of the first and second drive shafts.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises first and second parts having outer surfaces engaging adjacent vertebral surfaces. An insert between these parts provides relative movement therebetween. The first and/or second parts may have engagement means in the form of apertures for engagement with insertion instruments. The first and second parts may nest together, in the absence of the insert, for insertion into the intervertebral space. The boundaries of the implant may form a working space which would include insertion instruments therein. A detent and detent recess may be provided for engagement of the insert and one of said first and second parts.

Abstract: A multi-material spinal interbody device includes an inner dampener of compressible material in combination with a rigid outer material. The rigidity of the outer periphery of curved surfaces of the device, such as in an eluipsoid shape, provide support as a replacement to the nucleus propulsus, with the inner dampener providing for absorption of spinal forces.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a first member adapted to be implanted to bond and having a substantially rigid first contact surface; and a second member adapted to be implanted to bone and having a substantially rigid second contact surface which bears against the first contact surface so as to transfer load from one member to the other while allowing relative motion between the two members; At least one of the first and second contact surfaces is adapted to have resilient properties when placed under load.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint includes: (a) first member having a balanced centroidal axis, and comprising a rigid material and a concave interior defining a cup surface, the cup surface including: (i) a cantilevered first flange defining a wear-resistant protruding first contact rim, the first flange being asymmetric relative to the balanced centroidal axis; and (ii) a cantilevered second flange defining a wear-resistant protruding second contact rim; (b) a second member comprising a rigid material with a wear-resistant, convex contact surface; (c) where the first and second contact rims bear against the contact surface of the second member, to transfer loads between the first and second members, while allowing pivoting motion therebetween; and (d) wherein the flanges are shaped and sized so as to deform elastically and permit the first and second contact rims to conform in an irregular shape to the contact surface, when the joint is under load.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant can include: a tapered arcuate shape. The implant can include a solid non-elastic portion. The implant can include an implant-suitable material. The implant can be at least partially porous, and optionally, the pores can be filed with a biodegradable material that can include one or more active agents, such as growth factors. The implant can be formed from a hybrid of at least two implant-suitable materials. The implant can include a body having a rounded surface and a substantially flat surface. Optionally, the substantially flat surface can be opposite of the rounded surface. The rounded surface and substantially flat surface can extend from a base to a tip of the tapered arcuate shape. The base may be substantially flat, where the tip can be rounded. The tapered arcuate shape can extend from a substantially flat base and curve to a tip of the arc.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising at least two plates, namely first and second plates, articulated about each other by means of a curved surface, namely articulation, of at least one of the plates, each of the plates comprising a surface known as a contact surface, intended to be in contact with a vertebral plate of one of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be inserted, this contact surface for each of the plates comprising a geometrical centre at equal distance from at least two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plate, in which the geometric centres of the plates are not vertically aligned, this off-setting of the geometrical centres of the plates engendering an off-setting of the edges of the plates in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.

Abstract: An artificial disc includes an upper joint (3) and a lower joint (7) which fit each other in a corresponding upper and lower relationship, and a removable fixed connection structure for fixedly connecting the upper joint (3) and the lower joint (7).

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic implant having a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. A second endplate is provided with a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having a securing element positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second window on opposing sides of the second surface. The securing element extends along the width and length of the lower endplate and configured with an access hole. An extension portion extends from the first surface of the first endplate through the access hole of the securing element and contacts the second surface of the second endplate.

Abstract: An implant system that includes a concave spherical-segment-shaped socket part and a corresponding convex spherical-segment-shaped joint part is provided. The joint part rests in the socket part, wherein at least three support elements that describe a spherical triangle or a spherical polygon are arranged on the surface of the joint part or on the surface of the socket part.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prostheses for the total replacement of an intervertebral disk of the lumbar and cervical spine has an upper plate having upwardly projecting formations anchoring it to an upper vertebra on its upper face and a concavity on its inner face surrounded by an edge. A lower plate is provided with downwardly projecting formations anchoring it to a lower vertebra on its lower face and a flat inner face surrounding a groove extending front-to-back. A middle plate between the upper and lower plate has on its upper face a convexity that is identically or differently shaped to the concavity on the inner face of the upper plate and a ridge extending front-to-back surrounded by a flat lower face of the middle plate. The ridge has flanks and the groove houses the ridge of the middle plate and permits the ridge to slide front-to-back in the groove.

Abstract: The present invention includes intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods for installing intervertebral prosthetic devices into an intervertebral space. In one embodiment, an intervertebral prosthetic disc includes a superior endplate; an inferior endplate; and at least one protrusion element, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive the protrusion element. In another embodiment, the invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc having a superior endplate including a core retaining member; an inferior endplate including a core retaining member; and an asymmetric core positioned between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate, wherein the superior endplate and the inferior endplate are adapted to accommodate the core. The present invention also includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc system that includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc and at least one spring element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral disk prosthesis comprising at least three parts including a first plate, referred to as the upper plate (1), a second plate, referred to as the lower plate (2), and a core (3), the upper surface of the core (3) being in contact with at least part (10) of the lower surface of the upper plate (1) and the lower surface of the core (3) being in contact with at least part of the upper surface of the lower plate (2), and the lower plate (1) being movable at least with respect to the core (3), characterised in that there are cooperation means between the lower to plate (2) and the core (3), so as to limit or eliminate translation movements of the core (3) with respect to the lower plate (2) along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate (2), and to limit or eliminate rotation movements of the core (3) with respect to the lower plate (2), around an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate (2), the planes passing through the upper (1) is and lower

Abstract: A method of inserting an intervertebral prosthesis into an intervertebral space between respective endplates of adjacent first and second vertebral bones of a spine, includes: placing the intervertebral prosthesis into the intervertebral space, the intervertebral prosthesis including: a body including first and second spaced apart major surfaces and at least one sidewall extending therebetween, the first major surface for engaging the endplate of the first vertebral bone, and the second major surface for engaging the endplate of the second vertebral bone, and the first and second major surfaces defining a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to said surfaces; and simultaneously pushing at least three anchoring elements from within the body of the intervertebral prosthesis out through at least three respective apertures in the body and into at least one of the first and second vertebral bones, without rotating the at least one anchoring element about an axis thereof.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis for the total replacement of an intervertebral disc within the lumbar and cervical spine is disclosed. The intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises articulating sliding partners, wherein the upper sliding partner is adapted for a firm assembly to an upper vertebral body and the lower sliding partner is adapted for a firm assembly to a lower vertebral body. The functional two part design provides a dorsoventral motion and in the transversal plane a rotational motion around a fictitious vertical axis as a result of a laterolaterally aimed, transversally arched, ventrally curved cylindrical convexity and corresponding concavity but prevents an inclination of the sliding partners in a lateral direction. According to the invention, the intervertebral disk prostheses are suited for implantation from lateral and ventrolateral, particularly in revision surgeries.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc implant for use in the spine including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and second part are configured as a joint prosthesis for the spine. The first part includes one of a concave or convex articulating surface and the second part includes one of the other concave or convex articulating surface. One of the concave or convex articulating surfaces is preferably elliptically shaped in at least one direction and does not match and is different than one of the other concave or convex articulating surfaces.

Abstract: A problem with total disc implant surgery appears to be the positioning of the implant which if not correct may lead to pain and eventually new surgery. The present invention relates to an improved disc implant for total disc replacement, that includes two inter-vertebral elements which are flexibly connected via a coupling mechanism. Following surgery, the relative movability of the two inter-vertebral elements is decreased overtime, as bone ingrowth occurring around the implant and specifically through osseointegrative sections gradually decrease the movability of the elements relative to each other. Following, the relative movability of the implant elements is replaced by fixation of the elements. The fixation has flowingly occurred in a position affected by the movement of the patient, and is thereby more acceptable to the patient.

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.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc is formed of first and second end plates sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space and to be implanted from the back of the patient, thereby decreasing the invasiveness of the procedure. The posterior approach provides for a smaller posterior surgical incision and avoids important blood vessels located anterior to the spine particularly for lumbar disc replacements. The first and second plates are each formed of first, second and third parts are arranged in a first configuration in which the parts are axially aligned to form a low profile device appropriate for insertion through the small opening available in the TLIF or PLIF approaches described above. The three parts of both of the plates rotate and translate with respect to one another in situ to a second configuration or a deployed configuration in which the parts are axially unaligned with each other to provide a maximum coverage of the vertebral end plates for a minimum of insertion profile.

Abstract: An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In one form, the implant retention device may include an elongated tensioning member having a portion configured to connect to the implant and at least one anchoring device disposed on the tensioning member, the anchoring device configured to at least partially penetrate spinal tissue such as the annulus, vertebral body, or other secure tissue.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a left prosthesis component and a symmetric right prosthesis component positioned in an intervertebral space. Each prosthesis component includes a superior vertebra facing surface, an inferior vertebra facing surface, and a substantially spherical bearing surface. The bearing surface is positioned between the superior vertebra facing surface and the inferior vertebra facing surface. The superior vertebra facing surface is provided on a superior endplate and the inferior vertebra facing surface is provided on an inferior endplate. The superior endplate is operable to rotate relative to the inferior endplate upon the bearing surface. Each prosthesis component further comprises an elastic member positioned between an endplate and the bearing surface. The elastic member may be substantially cylindrical with a plurality of resilient ribs.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint assembly includes an upper support and a lower support, each of which has two or more components. The upper and lower support components are arranged in situ to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. By arranging the supports in situ, the supports can be introduced from the back of the patient, for example with an arthroscope. Each of the upper and lower supports has a surface adapted to engage a vertebra and a surface adapted to engage the other support or an intermediate member to form an articulate joint which articulates the joint assembly. In some embodiments, the components of the upper and lower supports are assembled in situ, for example with pivoting, telescoping or bending, to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. The supports can be attached to vertebrae with pedicles screws, and/or other anchors attached to the supports.

Abstract: A problem with total disc implant surgery appears to be the positioning of the implant which, if not correct, may lead to pain and eventually new surgery. The present invention relates to an improved disc implant (1) for total disc replacement, comprising two inter-vertebral elements (2) which are flexibly connected via coupling means (4,5). Following surgery, the relative movability of the two inter-vertebral elements is decreased over time, as bone ingrowth occurring around the implant and specifically through osseointegrative sections gradually decrease the movability of the elements relative to each other. Following, the relative movability of the implant elements is replaced by fixation of the elements. The fixation has flowingly occurred in a position affected by the movement of the patient, and is thereby more acceptable to the patient.

Abstract: In an intervertebral implant, having an upper part that has a support face for a vertebra and a lower part that has a support face for an adjacent vertebra, on each of which parts engagement elements, which are accessible from one side of the intervertebral implant, for a manipulation instrument are disposed, in order to minimize the structural height of the intervertebral implant upon insertion into an intervertebral space, it is proposed that the upper part and lower part each have protrusions and recesses aimed at the respectively other part, which are offset laterally from one another in such a way that when the upper part has been brought close to the lower part they mesh with one another; and that the engagement elements on the upper part and on the lower part are each disposed in protrusions of these parts in such a way that the engagement elements of the upper part and lower part are located side by side and at least partly overlap in the direction of the height of the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: Intervertebral disc prosthesis includes an upper plateau (16) with an outer surface (16a) bearing on an upper vertebra and with a surface (16b) directed towards the inside of the prosthesis, a lower plateau (18) with an outer surface (18a) bearing on a lower vertebra and with a surface (18b) directed towards the inside of the prosthesis, and a ball-type joint between the upper plateau and the lower plateau, having a bulged convex element (27), cooperating with a complementary recess of the bulged convex element (27) and coming into contact with the bulged convex element (27), the bulged convex element (27) including at least one slot (24, 25, 26, 28) that allows it to deform.

Abstract: An adjustable complex of an artificial cervical vertebra and an intervertebral connector includes: a vertebra body; and two end plates respectively connected to a top end and a bottom end of the vertebra body by spherical joint structures; wherein the vertebra body comprises: an upper vertebra body; and a lower vertebra body; wherein the upper vertebra body is axially connected to the lower vertebra body by a screw thread; a plurality of radial screw holes are correspondingly provided on side surfaces of the upper vertebra body and the lower vertebra body; a length-fixing screw is provided though the radial screw holes of the upper vertebra body and the lower vertebra body; wherein end plate fixing screws are respectively provided on the two end plates. The adjustable complex has a support function of an artificial vertebra and movability of an artificial intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis comprising at least three parts is disclosed. Some embodiments comprise a first plate, a second plate, and a core, the upper surface of the core in contact with at least part of the lower surface of the upper plate and the lower surface of the core in contact with at least part of the upper surface of the lower plate, and the lower plate movable at least with respect to the core. Some embodiments comprise cooperation means to limit or eliminate translation movements of the core with respect to the lower plate along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate, and to limit or eliminate rotation movements of the core with respect to the lower plate, around an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate, the planes passing through the upper is and lower plates forming a substantially constant angle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).

Abstract: An intervertebral joint assembly includes an upper support and a lower support, each of which has two or more components. The upper and lower support components are arranged in situ to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. By arranging the supports in situ, the supports can be introduced from the back of the patient, for example with an arthroscope. Each of the upper and lower supports has a surface adapted to engage a vertebra and a surface adapted to engage the other support or an intermediate member to form an articulate joint which articulates the joint assembly. In some embodiments, the components of the upper and lower supports are assembled in situ, for example with pivoting, telescoping or bending, to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. The supports can be attached to vertebrae with pedicles screws, and/or other anchors attached to the supports.

Abstract: An artificial disk replacement device includes opposing plate members with a pivoting assembly disposed therebetween. The pivoting assembly allows the plate members to pivot relative to each other in a first direction, but inhibit movement of the plate members in a second direction. The plate members may be installed prior to installing the pivoting assembly. An installation tool for use with the artificial disk replacement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device includes a first plate and a second plate, each plate having an outer surface for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces. The device includes a ball captured in a central opening of a coupling element, the coupling element being maintained against the first plate by a retaining ring coupled with the first plate.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc implant with upper and lower bearing members with an articulation interface between the members for providing relative motion therebetween. In one form, a securing member with an elongate shaft and a bone-engaging member on the shaft is disposed on one of the bearing members. The bone-engaging member is deployable into a bone-engaging position via rotational displacement of the shaft. In another form, a bone-engaging member is deployable via an actuator inserted into the implant body. In another form, the securing member secures an intervertebral implant in intervertebral space via deformation of the securing member causing a bone-engaging member of the securing member to be deployed into contact with an adjacent vertebra.

Abstract: The inventive intervertebral implant (1), in particular an artificial intervertebral disc comprises a central axis (2), a top part (3) and a lower part (4), wherein A) the top part (3) is provided with a top apposition surface (5) which rests on a base plate of a superimposed vertebral body, B) the lower part (4) is provided with a lower apposition surface (6) for resting on the covering plate of an underneath vertebral body, C) one part (3, 4) comprises a convex joint element (12) provided with a convex sliding surface (11) and the other part (3, 4) comprises a joint shell (13) provided with a complementary concave surface, D) the convex joint element (12) and the convex joint shell (13) form a joint (9) by means of which the two parts (3, 4) are rotatable with respect to each other around at least one axis of rotation and E) the intervertebral implant (1) is permeable to x-rays.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis (1) having at least one upper plateau (4, 4?) and at least one lower plateau (5, 5?), which are separated by two movable cores (6, 6?) whose lower face (62, 62?) and upper face (61, 61?) respectively match a concave surface (54, 54?) of the upper plateau (4, 4?) and a convex surface (44, 44?) of the lower plateau (5, 5?). An intervertebral prosthetic unit (10) is also described having an intervertebral disc prosthesis and a posterior articular prosthesis (11) provided with two adjacent and partially tangent articular blades (12, 13), which are each coupled to a vertebra (3, 3?) by coupling devices (14) and are connected by guide devices that allow them to move along a curve whose centre C3 is provided on the same side as the implantation of said coupling means.

Abstract: A prosthesis for a vertebral column has an upper part (10) for attachment to an upper vertebrae, a lower part (12) for attachment to a lower vertebrae and a middle part (11) located between the upper and the lower parts, wherein the upper part has a lower surface portion with a first radius of curvature, the middle part has an upper surface portion with a second radius of curvature and a lower surface with a third radius of curvature and the lower part has an upper surface with a fourth radius of curvature. The centre of the radius of curvature for at least two surfaces is offset rearwardly with respect to a central vertical axis (13) through the upper and lower vertebrae and/or the upper and lower parts. Also defined is device for linking bones, in the form of a band with attachment portions having a number of filaments that provide zones conducive to cellular growth as well as a method of modelling a prosthesis and a process for analysing performance of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis includes: a body including a first major surface for engaging an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine, a second major surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent, second vertebral bone of the spine; at least one aperture extending from within the body and opening at the first major surface; at least one anchoring element disposed within the aperture and including a shaft having proximal and distal ends; and a drive mechanism engaging the proximal end of the at least one anchoring element and operating to push the at least one anchoring element out through the at least one aperture and into the first vertebral bone, without rotating the at least one anchoring element about an axis thereof.

Abstract: Spacerless artificial disc replacements (ADR) are disclosed. One preferred embodiment includes two saddle-shaped components to facilitate more normal spinal flexion, extension, and lateral bending while limit axial rotation, thereby protecting the facet joints and the annulus fibrosus (AF). Either or both of the superior and inferior components are made of a hard material such as chrome cobalt, titanium, or a ceramic including alumina, zirconia, or calcium phosphate. The articulating surfaces of the ADR are also preferably highly polished to reduce friction between the components. Metals, alloys or other materials with shape-memory characteristics may also prove beneficial.

Abstract: The total disc replacement device (1) comprising a central axis (2), a first and a second apposition plate (3; 5), a first and a second joint component (4; 6) being mutually arranged in a ball joint like manner and being located between said first and second apposition plates (3; 5) and intermediate means (7) being disposed at least between the first apposition plate (3) and the first joint component (4) in such manner that, the first joint component (4) is not freely moveable transversely to the central axis (2) with respect to the first apposition plate (3) under load-free conditions, but a limited movement of the first joint component (4) relative to the first apposition plate (3) transversal to the central axis (2) is allowed under load.

Abstract: A lumbar disc prosthesis is provided including a first member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a recessed portion on an opposing surface thereof; a second member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a protruding portion on an opposing surface thereof. The protruding portion of the second member engages with the recessed portion of the first member in use. A facet joint prosthesis is provided, including a first member for attachment to a first posterior lumbar disc in use and a second member for attachment to a second posterior lumbar disc in use, where at least a part of the first member is telescopically mounted in at least a part of the second member in use.

Abstract: A lumbar disc prosthesis is provided including a first member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a recessed portion on an opposing surface thereof; a second member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a protruding portion on an opposing surface thereof. The protruding portion of the second member engages with the recessed portion of the first member in use. A facet joint prosthesis is provided, including a first member for attachment to a first posterior lumbar disc in use and a second member for attachment to a second posterior lumbar disc in use, where at least a part of the first member is telescopically mounted in at least a part of the second member in use.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc replacement device is disclosed and includes a first implantable member having a first anchor plate and a concave body detachably coupled to the first anchor plate, and a second implantable member having a second anchor plate and a convex body detachably coupled to the second anchor plate, the convex body configured to engage the concave body in movable relation thereto.