Disc replacement prosthesis

(54) DISC REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS

(76) Inventor: Hamid M. Mehdizadeh, 14928 Diduca Way, Los Gatos, CA (US) 95032

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/247,696

(22) Filed: Feb. 10, 1999

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/112,865, filed on Jul. 9, 1998, now Pat. No. 5,928,284.

(51) Int. C I. A611- 2/44

(52) U.S. CI 623/17.11; 623/17.13

(58) Field of Search 623/17.11-17.19,

623/16.11

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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5,401,269 * 3/1995 Buttner-Janz et al 623/17

5,458,642 * 10/1995 Beer et al 623/17

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5,782,832 * 7/1998 Larsen et al 606/61

5,893,889 * 4/1999 Harrington 623/17

5,928,284 * 7/1999 Mehdizadeh 623/17

6,019,792 * 2/2000 Cauthen 623/17

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Gill Publication (et al) 1996.

Part I Removal of Disc (Post 1970).

Aronson et al Publication 1982.

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Dinh X. Nguyen

Assistant Examiner—Alvin Stewart

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Henry M Stanley

(57) ABSTRACT

A disc replacement prosthesis is described which is placed within the intradiscal space vacated by a removed deteriorated disc, and which affords mobility rather than fusion between adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis also protects remaining discs from deterioration by providing a shock absorbing prosthesis portion. Structure is provided that affords resistance to shear force applied to the shock absorbing portion. The prosthesis adheres initially mechanically to the vertebral bodies and adheres through arthrodesis over a period of time.

18 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets