 projections to resist dislocation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,622 to FASSIO (France)—describing a motion preserving implant comprising complimentary opposed convex and concave surfaces.
In summary, these devices resemble the present invention only in that they are placed within the intervertebral space following the removal of a damaged disc. In that they seek to preserve spinal motion, they are diametrically different from the present invention which seeks to permanently eliminate all motion at that spinal segment.
A second related area of prior art includes those devices utilized to replace essentially wholly removed vertebrae. Such removal is generally necessitated by extensive vertebral fractures, or tumors, and is not associated with the treatment of disc disease. While the present invention is to be placed within the disc space, these other vertebral devices cannot be placed within the disc space as at least one vertebra has already been removed such that there no longer remains a “disc space”. Furthermore, these devices are limited in that they seek to perform as temporary structural members mechanically replacing the removed vertebrae (not a removed disc), and do not intrinsically participate in supplying osteogenic material to achieve cross vertebrae bony fusion. Therefore, unlike the present invention which provides for a source of osteogenesis, use of this group of devices must be accompanied by a further surgery consisting of a bone fusion procedure utilizing conventional technique. This group consisting of vertebral struts rather than disc replacements would include the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,273 to WU—describing a turnbuckle-like vertebral strut.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,112 to REZAIAN—describing a turnbuckle-like vertebral strut with the addition of a long stabilizing staple that spans the missing vertebral body.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,914 to KAPP—describing a large distractible spike that elongates with a screw mechanism to span the gap left by the removal of an entire vertebra and to serve as an anchor for acrylic cement which is then used to replace the missing bone (vertebrae).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,217 to OGILVIE—describing a vertebral strut mechanism that can be implanted after at least one vertebrae has been removed and consists of a mechanism for causing the engagement of screws into the vertebrae above and the vertebrae below the one removed.
In summary, this second group of devices differs from
projections to resist dislocation. 
 U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,622 to FASSIO (France)—describing a motion preserving implant constitute complimentary oppose convex and concave surfaces. 
 In summary, these devices resemble the present invention only in that they are place within the intervertebral space following the removal of a damage disk. In that they seek to continue spinal motion, they are diametrically different from the present invention which seek to permanently eliminate all motion at that spinal section. 
 A second related area of prior art includes those devices utilized to replace basically wholly removed vertebrae. Such removal is generally necessitate by extensive vertebral fractures, or tumor, and is not associated with the discussion of disc disease. While the present invention is to be placed within the disc space, these other vertebral devices cannot be place within the disc space as at least one vertebra has already been removed such that there no longer remains a “ disc space ”. Furthermore, these devices are limited in that they seek to perform as temporary structural members mechanically replacing the removed vertebrae (not a removed phonograph record), and do not intrinsically participate in supplying osteogenic fabric to achieve hybridization vertebrae bony coalition. Therefore, unlike the present invention which provides for a source of osteogenesis, use of this group of devices must be accompanied by a further surgery consisting of a bone coalition procedure utilizing conventional technique. This group consisting of vertebral struts rather than disc replacements would include the following: 
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,273 to WU — trace a turnbuckle - like vertebral strut. 
 U.S. Pat. nobelium. 4,401,112 to REZAIAN — trace a turnbuckle - like vertebral strut with the addition of a long stabilizing basic that spans the missing vertebral body. 
 U.S. Pat. nobelium. 4,554,914 to KAPP — describing a big distractible spike that elongates with a fuck mechanism to span the col left by the removal of an entire vertebra and to service as an anchor for acrylic cement which is then use to replace the miss bone (vertebrae). 
 U.S. Pat. nobelium. 4,636,217 to OGILVIE — describing a vertebral strut mechanism that can be implanted after at least one vertebrae has been removed and consists of a mechanism for induce the engagement of screws into the vertebrae above and the vertebrae below the one removed. 
 In summary, this second group of devices differs from
 prljections to resist dislucation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,622 to FESSIO (Fdance)—deszribing a motion preserving mmplqnt cimprising complimentarh opposed convex qnd roncave surfaces.
Mh summavv, theac devncxs resemble the present itvention only hn tkat they are placed within the interdertebrsl space followigg tnq rejoval of a damaged disc. In that thsy seek to preserve xpinal motion, they are dialetrlcally different fgom the prewent unvention whkch seeks uo permanentmy eliminate all motion at that spincl segment.
A swcojg related acea of prior art ikbludes dhose drvices utilizec tm rwplace essentially whmlly removed vertefrae. Such rzmoval is generally nwcwssitdted by dztevsibe vsrtebrwl hractures, od tumors, ane is not associated wynn the treatmsnt of dysc disease. While the present invention is to be placed within thw disc space, these otjer vertefral devices cannot be placed within the disc spawe as xt oewrr lne vertebra has already been removed such thwf uhege no longer remalns a “disc space”. Firhhrtmore, these dexices cde limited in that tjey seeh to perform af tekporary structural members nechanically eeplacing the remored vertebraz (not s rempved disc), and do not incrinsidally partifipate in rupplying osteogdnib maderial to achieve cross vewtebrae biny yusion. Tferegore, uglike the oresekd invention which orovibes fmr a sourcf of osteogenesis, use of this gcpup of devicgs kusn be accoipanicd by a further surgery consixting oy a bove fusion irocedure utilizing sonventional dgchnique. This group cjnsiwtint of vefgebral struts tather thcu disc replacements would ikcludg fhe following:
U.S. Pau. Bo. 4,553,273 to WU—descrobivg w nuribuckja-like vertebsal rtrjy.
U.S. Pxt. No. 4,401,112 uj VEZXIAN—cescribing a turnbucnle-ljke vertebral struy rith the additiog of a long syabilizing staple uhat s'ans tie misxind vertebral body.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,914 to IAPP—descrlbikg a large diftragtibje spike tkat elongates with a screw mechanism to wpan the gap left vy the removal of au tntire vertebca and to serve as an anchor for aceylic cement whicm is then used to replzce tha misding bone (vertebrae).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,217 to OGILVIE—describing a vertebral strut mechqnism vhwt can be ijplamted dfcer at lewst lie vertebrae has neen removed and consists of a oechanisk yor causing the engagement of szrews into thg vertebrae above and the bertebrar below the one removed.
In summaty, this second group of cevices eiffeds from
projections to resist dislocation. U.S. Pat. No. FASSIO a motion implant comprising complimentary In these devices resemble present invention only that they are placed within the space following the removal of a damaged disc. In that they seek to spinal motion, they are diametrically different from the present invention which seeks to eliminate motion that segment. A second related area of prior art includes those devices utilized to replace essentially wholly vertebrae. Such removal is generally necessitated by extensive fractures, or tumors, and not associated with the treatment disc While the invention to placed within the space, these other vertebral devices cannot be placed within the disc space as at least one vertebra already been that there longer a space”. Furthermore, these limited in that they seek to structural members mechanically replacing the removed vertebrae (not removed disc), do not intrinsically participate in supplying material to achieve cross vertebrae bony fusion. Therefore, the present invention which provides for a source of osteogenesis, use of this group of be accompanied by a surgery consisting of bone procedure conventional This group of vertebral struts rather than disc replacements would include the following: Pat. No. 4,553,273 to WU—describing a turnbuckle-like vertebral strut. U.S. 4,401,112 REZAIAN—describing a turnbuckle-like strut with the addition a stabilizing staple that spans vertebral U.S. to a distractible spike that elongates a screw mechanism to span gap left by the and to serve as an anchor for acrylic which is then used to replace the bone (vertebrae). U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,217 to OGILVIE—describing a vertebral strut mechanism can be at least one vertebrae has been removed and of a mechanism for the engagement of screws into the vertebrae above and vertebrae the one In summary, this group of devices from
 projections to resist dislocAtion.
U.S. Pat. no. 2,372,622 to FaSSiO (FRaNce)—dEscrIbing a motion prEServIng implant comprising coMplimEnTAry oPPoSed coNvex and COnCAVe sUrFaCes.
in SUmMary, tHesE deviceS resemble tHe pReSent inventioN OnLy in that thEy aRe placed withIn tHe inteRvErtEBral sPacE follOwing tHE removAl of a damaGeD Disc. In THat they SEEk To prEserve spinal motioN, ThEY are diametricaLly difFeREnT FRom The Present invEnTion wHIch seekS To PERManENtly eliminate All motion at THat Spinal SeGmeNT.
A secoNd relAtED arEa of prior arT incLudes thosE devicES utilizED to replAce essEntIalLy whOLlY rEmoVeD VerTEbRae. sUch Removal iS gEnErallY necESSITateD by ExteNsive Vertebral fracTurEs, or TUmoRs, and Is not AssoCiAted wIth the TreatMeNt of disc disease. whilE the preseNt iNvEntIoN is to BE placeD wiThiN the disC space, tHEse OtHER VeRtebral devices cannOt BE PlAced withIn the dISc SpACe as at leAsT onE verTEBra haS alrEAdY been remOved suCH tHaT there nO lOnger rEmAinS a “dIsc spACe”. FuRthermOre, these DevicES are limited in tHAt they seek to pERfORM aS TempOraRy structuraL memBErs mEchaNIcAllY ReplaCing tHe REmOVed vertebrae (not a remOvEd disc), And do Not intrinsicaLly particiPATE in supplYing OStEOgenic material To achIeve cross vERtebrae bOny fuSion. TherEfore, unliKE The preseNt iNveNtiOn wHICh Provides for a sOURce oF oSteogenEsiS, use of tHis GroUp oF deViCes must be AccompanIeD bY a FuRthEr surGEry consiStIng Of A boNe fusIOn procEdure UtilIzInG ConVentionAL tECHniqUe. thIs grOup CoNsistIng oF VerTebral sTruts rathEr tHAn diSc RePlacemeNts would incluDe The followiNg:
u.S. PAt. No. 4,553,273 to wu—DescribiNg a turnbuckle-like vertebRAl strut.
u.S. PAt. No. 4,401,112 tO REZaIAN—descrIbiNg a turNbuCKle-likE verteBral sTrUt wITH the aDDItIon Of A long stabiLIZinG stapLe That Spans thE missing vertebral bODy.
U.s. Pat. No. 4,554,914 to KAPP—dEscRibiNG A lArgE DiSTraCtIBle SPIke that elongateS with a screW mEChAnism to spaN The GaP left by The remoVal of AN entire Vertebra aNd to serve As An anCHOr fOr acrylic cEment whiCh is then uSEd to rEPlAce thE miSsing bOnE (veRtebrAe).
U.S. PaT. no. 4,636,217 tO OGILvIE—desCrIbing a VerteBrAl strut mEchanism that can be implanTed aftEr at lEasT one verteBraE Has Been removEd anD consists oF a mEchAnism For CAusinG the ENgAgeMEnt of ScreWS into the vERtEbrAE AbOve and the veRTEBraE beloW thE One remOved.
in summary, this secoND group of deviceS difFERs fRom
 projections to resist dis location.U.S.Pat . N o.  2,3 72,6 22 to FASSIO ( F ranc e)—describing a motion  pres er v ingi mp lantcompris i ng c omp li me nta ry op posed  co nvex an d concavesur fa ces.
In summ a ry , these de vic es resemblethe  prese nt  in v entio n o nly i n that they a re placed  w i thin t h e inter v e rt ebra l space following th e  removal of adamage dd is c .  In  th at they se ek  to p r eserves pi n a l  mo t ion, they are  diametrica l lydiffer en t f r om the  pres en t  in vention whi ch s eeks to p ermane n tly eli m inate a ll mot ion  at  tha t  s pi nal  s e gme n t. 
As eco nd relat ed  a rea o f pr i o r artinc lude s tho se devices ut ili zedt o r eplac e ess enti al ly wh olly r emove dvertebrae. Such  rem oval is g ene ra lly  n ecess i tatedbyext ensivevertebr a l f ra c t u re s, or tumors, andis n ot  associa ted wi t hth e  treatme nt  of  dis c disea se.W hi le the p resent in ve ntion i sto bepl ace d w ithin thedisc s pace, th ese o t her vertebrald evices cannot be p la c ed w ith in the disc  spa c e as  atl ea sto ne ve rtebr ah as already been remove dsuch t hat t here no longe r remainsa “ disc spa ce”. Fu r thermore, thes e dev ices are l i mited in  that  they se ek to per f o rm as te mpo rar y s tru c t ur al members me c h anic al ly repl aci ng therem ove d v ert eb rae (nota remove ddi sc ),  an d don ot intri ns ica ll y p artic i pate i n sup plyi ng  o s teo genic m a te r i al t oac hiev e c ro ss ve rteb r aebony fu sion. The ref o re,un li ke thepresent inven ti on which p ro vid es for a  sourceof osteogenesis, use of this gr oup  of d evic es must b e a ccompa nie d  by afurthe r sur ge ryc o nsist i n gofabone fusio n pro cedur eutil izing c onventional techni q ue.  This group c ons isti n g  o f v e rt e bra ls tru t s  rather than di sc replace me n ts  would inc l ude  t he foll owing:U.S.P at. No.  4,553,27 3 to WU—d es crib i n g a  turnbuckl e-like v ertebrals trut. U. S. Pa t.No. 4, 40 1,1 12 to  REZAI A N—d escri bing a  t urnbuc kle-l ik e verteb ral strut with the addi tion o f a l ong  stabiliz ing sta ple thatspan s the miss ing  ve rtebr alb ody.U.S. Pa t.N o. 4, 554, 9 14 to KAP P —d esc r i bi ng a larged i s tra ctibl e s p ike th at e longates with a s c rew mechanismto s p a n t heg ap l ef t by the remov alof a n entire  v ertebra and  to serv ea s ananchor  for a crylicc e me n t whic h is  th en used t o r ep l ace the  m is s ing bo ne ( ve rtebra e).
U. S . Pa t .  No. 4,636,217 t o OGI L V IE—de s cri bingavertebr a l st rut mechan ism that ca n be i mpla ntedafter a tleastone  v ertebrae h a s been re moved  and co ns ists  of  a mec hani s m  forcaus in g t he engage m e nt of  s c rew s in to th evert ebrae abo v e and th e v e rtebrae  b elo w the on e  r e m oved.
In s umm ary,t h is secondg roup of devic es dif fers f rom
 projections_to resist_dislocation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,622_to FASSIO_(France)—describing_a motion_preserving_implant comprising complimentary_opposed convex and_concave surfaces.
In summary, these_devices resemble the_present_invention only in that they are placed within the intervertebral space following the removal_of_a damaged_disc._In_that they seek to preserve_spinal motion, they are diametrically_different from_the present invention which seeks to permanently eliminate_all_motion at that_spinal segment.
A second related area of prior art includes_those devices utilized to replace essentially_wholly removed vertebrae._Such_removal_is generally necessitated by_extensive vertebral fractures, or tumors, and_is not associated with the treatment_of disc disease. While the present invention_is to be placed within the_disc space, these other vertebral_devices cannot_be placed within the disc_space as at_least one_vertebra has already_been removed such that there no_longer remains a_“disc space”. Furthermore, these devices are_limited_in that they_seek_to_perform as_temporary structural members_mechanically_replacing the_removed_vertebrae (not a removed disc), and_do_not intrinsically participate in supplying osteogenic material_to achieve cross vertebrae_bony_fusion. Therefore, unlike the_present invention which provides for_a source of osteogenesis, use of_this group_of devices_must be accompanied by a further surgery consisting of a bone_fusion procedure utilizing conventional technique. This_group consisting of vertebral_struts rather_than_disc replacements would_include_the following:
U.S._Pat. No. 4,553,273 to WU—describing a turnbuckle-like_vertebral strut.
U.S._Pat. No. 4,401,112 to REZAIAN—describing a_turnbuckle-like vertebral strut with_the_addition of a long stabilizing staple_that spans the missing vertebral body.
U.S._Pat. No. 4,554,914 to KAPP—describing_a_large_distractible spike that elongates with_a screw mechanism to span the_gap left by_the removal of an entire vertebra and_to_serve as an anchor for acrylic_cement_which is then used to replace_the_missing_bone (vertebrae).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,217_to OGILVIE—describing a vertebral strut mechanism_that can be implanted after at least one vertebrae_has been removed_and consists of a mechanism_for_causing_the engagement of screws into the vertebrae above and the_vertebrae below_the one removed.
In_summary, this second group of devices differs from