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 assembly further increases
resistance to lateral shear 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 end plate. The bellows also provides a hermetic seal
which prevents any wear debris from migrating to the surrounding body
tissue.