Other

Smart Disc, Inc.

James R Gerchow

Neville Alleyne

Philip James Sluder

Makoto Nonaka

Dennis K Russell

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.

Artificial spinal disk

A valve tappet apparatus including a first tappet body, at least a portion of the first tappet body having a curved outer circumference; a second tappet body, at least a portion of the second tappet body having a curved outer circumference; an elongated, rigid link bar having a first end and a second end; a first attachment mechanism attaching the first end of the link bar to the first tappet body, the first attachment mechanism including a screw for extending through at least a portion of the first tappet body and a nut member for attaching the first end of the link bar to the distal end of the screw, the face surface of the nut member having a concaved portion for engaging a portion of the outer circumference of the first tappet body; and a second attachment mechanism attaching the second end of the link bar to the second tappet body, the second attachment mechanism including a screw for extending through at least a portion of the second tappet body and a nut member for attaching the second end of the link bar to the distal end of the bolt member, the face surface of the nut member having a concaved portion for engaging a portion of the outer circumference of the second tappet body.

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Sturgis, MI, United States of America

James R Gerchow