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:
Sep. 22, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2006
Jeffrey C. Felt, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Mark A. Rydell, Mntka, MN (US);
Stephen H. Crosbie, Mntka, MN (US);
John E. Sherman, Wayzata, MN (US);
Jeffrey C. Felt, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Mark A. Rydell, Mntka, MN (US);
Stephen H. Crosbie, Mntka, MN (US);
John E. Sherman, Wayzata, MN (US);
Vertebral Technologies, Inc., Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc nucleus in a minimally invasive manner utilizes a modular disc prosthesis preferably comprised of at least three modular segments and at least two rails that operably connect adjacent modular segments. In one embodiment, each modular segment includes a harder inner portion and a softer outer portion. Preferably, the rails operate to slidably connect and interlock adjacent modular segments. A stem portion of the rails that extends outside the periphery of the body of the prosthesis is removable after implantation such that the modular segments form an implanted unitary device that closely mimics the geometry of the disc nucleus cavity.