| abstract |
Intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods are provided which include an arthroplasty implant configured to reside within an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral bodies, and at least one implant-to-vertebra staple. Each staple, which includes first and second prongs, is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state. The arthroplasty implant includes at least one vertebral support plate configured to engage at least one of the first and second vertebral bodies, and configured to receive the first prong of the staple(s). When the arthroplasty implant is disposed in the intervertebral space, the staple(s) couples the at least one vertebral support plate to the at least one first and second vertebral bodies when in the deformed state, and thereafter transitions to the memorized state resulting in compressive force being applied between the vertebral support plate(s) and the at least one first and second vertebral bodies. |