| abstract |
A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus comprising a first prosthetic body, a second prosthetic body and a coupling means. The first and second prosthetic bodies each have sufficient structural integrity for maintaining a desired separation between an opposing pair of vertebrae and a volume that is less than a volume of the nucleus cavity. The coupling means selectively associates the first prosthetic body with the second prosthetic body. During use, the first prosthetic body is inserted into a nucleus cavity through an opening in an anulus. The coupling means is configured such that the second prosthetic body does not impede insertion of the first prosthetic body. The second prosthetic body is similarly implanted. Following implant, the coupling means relatively fixes the first and second prosthetic bodies to prevent subsequent movement of the prosthetic spinal disc nucleus, or any portion thereof, back through the opening in the anulus. |