Appeal 2007-2608
Application 10/473,998
to back (splitting the body into right and left sections). It has the same
orientation as a vertical plane passing through an intervertebral prosthesis
from the dorsal surface to the ventral surface. According to Erickson, “[a]s
best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, first end articular surface 31 can be spherical 32.
As best appreciated in FIG. 7, although the first end piece 20 and first end
articular surface 31 both have circular perimeters, the central axis EA [sic,
EN in the figure] of the first end piece 20 need not be coaxial with the
central axis SA of the first end piece articular surface” (Erickson, col. 7, ll.
7-12). Figures 6 and 7 of Erickson are reproduced below:
As Erickson explains, “[i]f inserted into an intervertebral space of a
patient, FIG. 7 would be a left lateral view” (Erickson, col. 6, ll. 49-50).
Thus, Erickson’s Figure 7 shows a prosthesis with an end piece (or cover
plate) in which the center of the articular (or core-matching) surface, and the
center of the contact surface, are offset relative to each other in the
ventrodorsal plane or direction.
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Last modified: September 9, 2013