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:
Jan. 05, 2010
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2001
Vincent Bryan, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Alex Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Charles R. Clark, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Robert Conta, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Carlos E. Gil, Sammamish, WA (US);
Vincent Bryan, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Alex Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Charles R. Clark, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Robert Conta, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Carlos E. Gil, Sammamish, WA (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like D joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough, while the inner surfaces of the shells are relatively smooth. The central body has a shape that cooperates with the shape of the inner surface of the shell so as to provide a range of motion similar to that provided by a healthy joint.