The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 29, 2002
Matthew N. Songer, Marquette Township, MI (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Brian P. Janowski, Marquette, MI (US);
Gregory A. Berrevoets, Skandia, MI (US);
Matthew P. Gephart, Marquette, MI (US);
Matthew N. Songer, Marquette Township, MI (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Brian P. Janowski, Marquette, MI (US);
Gregory A. Berrevoets, Skandia, MI (US);
Matthew P. Gephart, Marquette, MI (US);
Pioneer Laboratories, Inc., Marquette, MI (US);
Abstract
Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.