Implant replacing intervertebral disk, comprising plates divided into movable segments lifted by expanding elements

摘要

The implant (1) is assembled of a central core (9) and an upper and a lower plate to be held between the adjacent vertebrae (2). Each of the plates is divided into a stationary central segment (4, 5), a rectangular segment (6) and a curved segment (7). The outer segments (6, 7) are positioned in a right angle to the central segment (4, 5) when the implant (1) is inserted but are pushed into extended positions when two elements (10, 11) located at both sides of the core (9) are filled with saline solution or any other suitable fluid.