Intervertebral disk prosthesis and method

Abstract

Described herein is an intervertebral disk prosthesis with an angled leading edge for insertion into the intervertebral space. The disk prosthesis may provide for both rotation and compression.

1 . A method of inserting an intervertebral disk replacement prosthesis into the intervertebral space, the method comprising retracting the intervertebral space with at least one retracting edge of an intervertebral disk prosthesis.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising at least partially opening the intervertebral space before inserting the intervertebral disk replacement.  
   
   
       3 . A method of intervertebral disk replacement comprising inserting into the intervertebral space a two half ball and socket intervertebral disk prosthesis with a compression function.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the compression function is provided by an elastomeric insert contained in at least one of the ball half and the socket half.  
   
   
       5 . A method of providing an intervertebral disk replacement the method comprising: 
 inserting a disk ball and socket replacement prosthesis into the intervertebral space; and    at least one of the ball and the socket are movable whereby the disk prosthesis can compress.    
   
   
       6 . A two half intervertebral disk prosthesis comprising: 
 a socket half base with a vertebra interface surface on one side;    a socket guide formed in the side of the socket half base opposite the vertebra interface surface;    a ball receiving socket movably placed in the socket guide;    an elastomeric insert between the bottom of the socket guide and the ball receiving socket;    a ball half base with a vertebra interface surface on one side; and    a ball head, which mates fits into the ball receiving socket opposite the vertebra interface surface.    
   
   
       7 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 6  further comprising an angular leading edge on at least one of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       8 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 6  further comprising a porous principal surface on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       9 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 8  further comprising a coating on at least one principal surface.  
   
   
       10 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 6  further comprising a rough principal surface on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       11 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 6  further comprising one or more protrusions on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       12 . A two half intervertebral disk prosthesis comprising: 
 a ball half base with a vertebra interface surface on one side;    a ball guide formed on the side of the ball half base opposite the vertebra interface surface;    a ball head movably placed in the ball guide; an elastomeric insert between the bottom of the ball guide and the ball head;    a socket half base with a vertebra interface surface on one side;    and, a ball receiving socket, which mates with the ball head on the side opposite the vertebra interface surface.    
   
   
       13 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 12  further comprising an angular leading edge on at least one of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       14 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 12  further comprising a porous principal surface on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       15 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 14  further comprising a coating on at least one principal surface.  
   
   
       16 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 12  further comprising a rough principal surface on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.  
   
   
       17 . The disk prosthesis of  claim 12  further comprising one or more protrusions on at least one vertebra interface surface of the socket half base and the ball half base.