| 主权项 |
1. An interbody device for replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising:
a flexible longitudinal rib having a length of shape memory metal disposed therein, said memory metal having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced, and having a plurality of spaced square-shaped lobes secured thereto and extending from a same side of the longitudinal rib, said lobes each having an upper vertebral contacting surface, a lower vertebral contacting surface, two lateral sides, and an aperture extending from said upper vertebral contacting surface to said lower vertebral contacting surface, said aperture allowing the sides of the lobes to compress or deform slight under load and capable of receiving bone graft material, and wherein adjacent sides from adjacent lobes are connected to each other by a continuous curved surface between said adjacent lobes on an inner portion of said rib to enable flexion of said interbody device, each of the said plurality of lobes having substantially the same size and shape and having a plurality of chamfered edges thereon for contacting said adjacent vertebrae and; wherein said longitudinal rib and said plurality of lobes have a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced and are capable of being placed in an unrelaxed shape for placement between said adjacent vertebrae. |
