Artificial spinal disk

Abstract

An artificial spinal disk comprises a central capsule that is configured to slide laterally within the disk space with one or more of flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine so as to shift an instantaneous center of rotation of the artificial disk. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an artificial spinal disk comprising a first plate having an inwardly directed surface, a second plate having an inwardly directed surface facing generally toward the inwardly directed surface of the first plate, and a central capsule with outwardly directed opposed faces that slidably mate with the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second plates.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . An artificial spinal disk comprising: 
 a first plate defining a first curved surface;    a first retainer disk affixed to said pedestal having a contour substantially matched to said first curved surface and held in spaced relation to said first curved surface;    a second plate defining a second curved surface;    a second retainer disk affixed to said second pedestal having a contour substantially matched to said second curved surface and held in spaced relation to said second curved surface;    a first sliding disk captured between said first retainer disk and said first curved surface;    a second sliding disk captured between said second retainer disk and said second curved surface, wherein said second sliding disk is coupled to said first sliding disk.    
   
   
       8 . The artificial disk of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second sliding disks are coupled along their respective edges.  
   
   
       9 . The artificial disk of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second sliding disks are coupled along their respective edges by a clamp.  
   
   
       10 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The artificial disk of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second retainer disks and said first and second sliding disks comprise surfaces coated with diamond like carbon.  
   
   
       22 . The artificial disk of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second plates comprise concave surfaces.