Disc and facet replacement

Abstract

An artificial disc for replacement of a spinal three-joint complex of a mammal includes a generally spinal disc-shaped upper plate having an anterior section and a posterior section and a generally spinal disc-shaped lower plate also having an anterior section and a posterior section. The anterior section of the upper plate is selectively separable from the posterior section of the upper plate and the anterior section of the lower plate is likewise selectively separable from the posterior section of the lower plate. A ball is interposed the lower face of the upper plate and the upper face of the lower plate and a plurality of posts, each projecting from one of the faces toward the other of the faces corresponds to a plurality of detents provided on the one of the faces opposite the face from which the corresponding post projects for engaging the posts.

1. An artificial disc for replacement of a spinal three-joint complex of a mammal, said artificial disc comprising:
 a generally spinal disc-shaped upper plate comprising an anterior section and a posterior section, said anterior section of said upper plate being selectively separable from said posterior section of said upper plate;  
 a generally spinal disc-shaped lower plate comprising an anterior section and a posterior section, said anterior section of said lower plate being selectively separable from said posterior section of said lower plate;  
 a ball interposed a lower face of said upper plate and an upper face of said lower plate;  
 a plurality of posts, each said post projecting from one of said faces toward the other of said faces; and  
 a plurality of detents for engaging said posts, each said detent corresponding to one of said posts and being provided on the one of said faces opposite the face from which said corresponding post projects.  
 
     
     
       2. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one said post projects from said lower face of said upper plate; and  
 at least one said detent, corresponding to said post projecting from said lower face of said upper plate, is provided on said upper face of said lower plate and positioned opposite said post projecting from said lower face of said upper plate.  
 
     
     
       3. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 each said post projects from said lower face of said upper plate; and  
 each said detent, corresponding to one of said posts, is provided on said upper face of said lower plate and positioned opposite said corresponding post.  
 
     
     
       4. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one said post projects from said upper face of said lower plate; and  
 at least one said detent, corresponding to said post projecting from said upper face of said lower plate, is provided on said lower face of said upper plate and positioned opposite said post projecting from said upper face of said lower plate.  
 
     
     
       5. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 4 , wherein:
 each said post projects from said upper face of said lower plate; and  
 each said detent, corresponding to one of said posts, is provided on said lower face of said upper plate and positioned opposite said corresponding post.  
 
     
     
       6. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said post comprises a generally reniform cross section. 
     
     
       7. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 6 , wherein each said detent comprises a generally reniform perimeter. 
     
     
       8. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said detent comprises a generally reniform perimeter. 
     
     
       9. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said anterior section and said posterior section of each said plate is interconnected one to the other with a section connection assembly, each said section connection assembly comprising a connecting rod inserted into and between said anterior section and said posterior section and oriented to lie substantially within both a sagittal plane and an axial plane. 
     
     
       10. The artificial disc as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said anterior section of said plates comprises a first bore for receiving therein an anterior section of one of said connecting rods and each said posterior section of said plates comprises a second bore for receiving therein a posterior section of one of said connecting rods.