| abstract |
The invention relates to an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis for completely replacing the intervertebral disc in the lumbar vertebral column area and cervical vertebral column area, comprised of articulating sliding partners (11, 12, 13). The upper sliding partner (11) has means for establishing a fixed connection with an upper vertebral body, and the lower sliding partner (12) has means for establishing a fixed connection with a lower vertebral body, and at least one sliding surface is situated between the sliding partners. Functional two-part and three-part inventive embodiments are provided, and both prostheses are similar in that only dorsoventral movement deflections are possible due to the latero-laterally oriented cylindrical convexities and corresponding concavities. In another embodiment, the cylindrical articulation surfaces are transversally curved toward the ventral region whereby enabling a minimal rotation of the sliding partners relative to one another. The intervertebral disc endoprostheses are also suited for being implanted laterally, in particular, during revision operations. |