A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The
spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an
intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The
proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation
apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate
body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal
body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined
by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an
expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation
apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior
vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the
intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.
