A modular hydraulic spinal intervertebral prosthetic device offering
individualized optimization of an implantable disc prosthesis by having
selectable crown plates modules with differing lordosis angles and
differing cross-sectional profiles, and selectable bellows cartridges
having differing load-bearing capabilities. The device offers
substantially full physiological degrees of motion, and by the
incorporation of both a dashpot mechanism and a biasing element within
reversibly displaceable and tiltable bellows provides hydraulic load
bearing capability. The bellows assembly is advantageously pre-loaded to
sub-atmospheric pressure. The dashpot further increases resistance to
lateral sheer loading beyond the bellows convolutions acting alone.
Rotational coupling of the upper crown plate and center bearings plate
permits normal twisting movements, and spinal flexural freedom is
provided by the bellows interposed between the center bearings plate and
the lower crown plate.