CA2622028C

CA2622028C - Intervertebral disc prosthesis

Info

Publication number: CA2622028C
Application number: CA2622028A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ralph Rashbaum; Kee D. Kim; Hyun Bae
Original assignee: LDR Medical SAS
Current assignee: LDR Medical SAS
Priority date: 2005-09-23
Filing date: 2006-09-23
Publication date: 2014-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-23
Also published as: US7842088B2; EP1968500B1; CN101296671A; US20070073404A1; PT1968500E; ATE537786T1; JP2009508615A; US9597194B2; RU2008115935A; FR2891135B1; KR20080046290A; CN101296671B; US20170252179A1; US11872138B2; KR101333755B1; PL1968500T3; RU2401085C2; US10492919B2; FR2891135A1; US20110077739A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising at least two plates (1, 2), namely first (1) and second (2) plates, articulated about each other by means of a curved surface (11, 31), namely articulation, of at least one of the plates, each of the plates (1, 2) comprising a surface (14, 24) known as a contact surface, intended to be in contact with a vertebral plate of one of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be inserted, this contact surface for each of the plates comprising a geometrical centre (G1, G2) at equal distance from at least two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plate (1, 2), characterised in that the geometric centres (G1, G2) of the plates (1, 2) are not vertically aligned, this off-setting (D) of the geometrical centres (G1, G2) of the plates engendering an off-setting of the edges of the plates (1, 2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.

Description

Intervertebral disc prosthesis The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis, intended to be substituted with fibrocartilaginous discs providing the liaison between the vertebrae of the spinal column.
s Different types of intervertebral disc prostheses are known in the prior art. Numerous prostheses, such as for example those described in the applications WO 02 089 701 and WO 2004/041129, are constituted of a lower plate and an upper plate creating a cage articulated about a central core. Other prostheses like those disclosed in the patent US 5676701 and in io the application WO 03/059212 Al, for example, only comprise a lower plate and an upper plate articulated about themselves by means of a surface of articulation. These articulated prostheses have the advantage of offering the patient bearing the prosthesis a freedom of movement, by allowing the plates to tilt and/or rotate in relation to each other. The prostheses comprising a is central core, movable between the plates, have the added advantage of allowing a spontaneous positioning of the core in the ideal position for absorbing the constraints imposed on the prosthesis. In these prostheses known in the prior art, the anterior, posterior and lateral edges of a plate are located on the same vertical axis as the corresponding edge of the other 20 plate. This shape of the prosthesis is normaily due to the plates being of identical size and that their respective axes of articulation are joined (coaxially), so as to facilitate the movements of the patient and to allow the correction of possible positioning defects. However, these prostheses have the inconvenience of not being perfectly suited to the morphology of the 25 spinal column. Indeed, the posterior edges of two adjacent vertebrae are often slightly off-set to each other. Thus, the prostheses known in the prior art are difficult to properly implant. Additionally, at rest, due to the natural off-setting of the vertebrae and the anchoring of the plates in the vertebrae, the different parts of the prosthesis are under constraint in an undesirable 30 position as it restricts freedom of movement of these parts of the prosthesis.

This inconvenience will be diminished through the use of a movable core between the plates, but the possible movements of the core will be restricted and its capacity to position itself so as to absorb the constraints imposed on the prosthesis will therefore be diminished.
It is also know in the prior art, from the patent application EP
1 250 898 Al, intervertebral disc prostheses comprising two plates articulated around a central core, wherein the dimensions of one of the plates, on at least on of its edges, are bigger than the dimensions of the other plate. This difference of dimensions of the plates results in an offset of the lo edges of the plates but has the inconvenience of also resulting in an offset of the axis of articulation of the plates. Furthermore, this type of prosthesis has the inconvenience that one of its plates may eventually be to large compared to the vertebral plate or, on the opposite, that the other plate may be smaller than the vertebral plate and thus doesn't lean on the periphery of the vertebral plate but on a less solid part, the prosthesis thus having a risk to damage the vertebral plate.
In this context, it is beneficial to propose a prosthesis that allows to more efficiently fit to the profile of the spinal column and thus fully attain the goals it set by offering a surface of articulation.
The purpose of the invention is to overcome some of the inconveniences of the prior art by proposing an intervertebral disc prosthesis at least comprising two plates each bearing at least an edge off-set in relation to the same edge of the other plate.
This goal is reached with an intervertebral disc prosthesis for implantation between vertebrae of a spinal column, comprising at least two plates, namely first and second plates, articulated about each other by means of at least one curved surface, namely articulation, of at least one of the plates, allowing to pivot and/or tilt the plates in relation to each other, via rotation about, respectively, an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plates and an axis substantially in the plane of the plates, said curved articulation surface having a vertex vertically aligned with a centre of articulation of the prosthesis, each of the plates comprising edges and a surface known as a contact surface, intended to be in contact with a vertebral plate of one of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be implanted, this contact surface for each of the plates comprising a geometric centre at equal distance from at least two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plate, characterised in that:
- the centre of articulation of the prosthesis is vertically aligned with one of the geometric centres of the plates ;
- the geometric centres of the plates are not vertically aligned and thus are off-set in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column;
- the contact surfaces of the two plates have substantially the same dimensions and the edges of the plates are thus also off-set in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.
According to another feature, the second plate comprises a curved surface of articulation of which at least one part co-operates with a curved surface of articulation of the first plate for which if is complementary, in order to allow the articulation, by pivoting and/or tilting, of the plates in relation to each other, the centre of articulation vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface of articulation of the second plate corresponding to the mid-position of the centre of the curved surface of the first plate in relation to the second plate.
According to another feature, the curved surface of the first plate is concave and the curved surface of articulation of the second plate is convex.
According to another feature, the curved surface of the first plate is convex and the curved surface of articulation of the second plate is concave.
According to another feature, the intervertebral disc prosthesis also comprises a core comprising a plane surface and a curved surface of articulation and in that only the first plate comprises a curved surface of 3o articulation co-operating with at least one part of the curved surface of the core for which it is complementary, in order to allow the pivoting and/or tilting of the plates in relation to each other, the plane surface of the core co-operating with at least one part of a plane surface of the second plate in order to allow a translation and/or a rotation of the core in relation to the second plate in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column, the second plate comprising means for co-operating complementary with means for co-operating of the core allowing to restrict or abolish at least this translation of the core in relation to the second plate, the centre of articulation vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface of articulation of the core corresponding to the mid-position of the core between the means for co-operating of the second plate and to the mid-position of the io centre of the curved surface of the first plate in relation to the core.
According to another feature, the curved surface of the first plate is concave and the curved surface of the core is convex.
According to another feature, the curved surface of the first plate is convex and the curved surface of the core is concave.
is According to another feature, the means for co-operating of the second plate are female means located in the vicinity of the edges of the second plate and co-operating with the male means of the core.
According to another feature, the dimensions of each male means for co-operating are slightly smaller than those of the female means for co-20 operating in order to allow a slight travel between the core and the second plate around the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre of articulation.
According to another feature, the dimensions of each male means for co-operating are substantially the same as those of each female means for 25 co-operating in order to prevent any travel between the core and the second plate and to maintain the core in the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre of articulation.
According to another feature, the means for co-operating of the second plate are the male means located in the vicinity of the edges of the 30 second plate and co-operating with the female means of the core.
According to another feature, the dimensions of each male means for co-operating are slightly smaller than those of each female means for co-operating in order to allow as slight travel between the core and the second plate, around the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre of articulation.
According to another feature, the dimensions of each male means for 5 co-operating are substantially the same as those of each female means for co-operating in order to prevent any travel between the core and the second plate and to maintain the core in the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre of articulation.
According to another feature, the male means for co-operating of the io core are two studs located on the two side edges of the core and the female means for co-operating of the second plate are four walls located, in pairs, on each of the two side edges of the second plate.
According to another feature, the female means for co-operating of the second plate comprise a section dish-shaped towards the centre of the plate and partly covering the male means for co-operating of the core in order to prevent the core from lifting.
According to another feature, the median planes representing the contact surfaces of the plates are substantially parallel or create an acute angle, the slope obtained by such an angle allowing to adapt the overall shape of the prosthesis to the anatomy of the spinal column or to possibly correct any slope defects of the vertebrae of the patient for whom the prosthesis is intended for.
According to another feature, the plates comprise, at least on their lower edge, at least a bevel facilitating the insertion of the prosthesis between the vertebrae.
According to another feature, the same plates can be assembled with cores of different thicknesses and/or dimensions and/or shapes.
According to another feature, the plates comprise mobile osseous anchorage means.
According to another feature, the osseous anchorage means and/or the plates comprise means for securing the binding of the osseous anchorage means on the plates.

According to another feature, the mobile osseous anchorage means of the plates consists in at least one plate equipped with notches oriented so as to prevent this notched plate from falling out once inserted in a vertebra, one end of the plate having an inward curving section and intended to be interlocked onto at least one edge of an opening located in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates.
According to another feature, the end of the notched plate, opposite the one with an inward curving section, comprises a bevel facilitating the insertion of the notched plate into the vertebrae.
io According to another feature, the opening located in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates comprises a sloping section on which the notched plate leans when the curved section of the osseous anchorage means is interlocked onto the edge of this opening, this sloping section thus allowing to set the angle of the osseous anchorage means in relation to the plates and to is guide them when being inserted into the opening.
According to another feature, the means for securing consist in flexible tabs oriented towards the curved section of the osseous anchorage means and intended to fold back against the edges of the plate when inserting the osseous anchorage means into the openings in the plates, then to spring 2o back so as to lean against the limit stops located on the walls of the openings in the plates during the interlocking of the curved sections onto the edges of the openings in the plates, so as to prevent the osseous anchorage means from falling out.
According to another feature, the inward curving section of the 25 notched plate of the mobile osseous anchorage means extends by means of a second plate also equipped with notches oriented so as to prevent the plate from falling out once inserted into the vertebra.
According to another feature, the mobile osseous anchorage means of the plates consist in at least a winglet equipped with notches oriented so as 30 to prevent the winglet from falling out once inserted in a groove made in a vertebra, one end of the winglet having an inward curving section and intended to be interlocked on to at least one edge of an opening in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates.
According to another feature, the means for securing the winglet consist in at least one stud located on the lower surface of the winglet and intended to be interlocked into at least one hole in the contact surfaces of the plates, the stud and the hole being of complementary shape and size so as to secure the winglet in place on the plates.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given in reference to the annexed io figures, in which:
- figures 1A, 1B and 1C respectively represent a side view, a rear view with a cross section plane A - A and a cross section along said plane A - A, of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to a first embodiment of the invention, - figures 2A, 2B and 2C respectively represent a side view, a rear view with a cross section plane B - B and a cross section along said plane B - B, of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to a second embodiment of the invention, - figures 3A and 3B respectively represent a rear view with a cross section plane C - C and a cross section along said plane C - C, of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to the first embodiment of the invention and figures 3C and 3D respectively represent a rear view with a cross section plane D - D and a cross section along said plane D - D, of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to the second embodiment of the invention, - figures 4A and 4B respectively represent a top view and a perspective view of a first embodiment of the osseous anchorage means of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to the invention and figures 4C and 4D respectively represent a top view and a side view of a second embodiment of the osseous anchorage means of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to the invention, - figures 5A, 5B and 5C respectively represent a perspective view, a top view and a side view of an intervertebral disc prosthesis according to different embodiments of the invention.
The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising at least two plates (1, 2) off-set in relation to each other so as to more efficiently follow the anatomy of the spinal column. As explained in the preamble of this application, the vertebrae are generally slightly off-set to each other, so that their edges, for example posterior, are not vertically aligned. The prosthesis according to the invention is thus designed so that the edges of the plates (1, io 2) are not vertically aligned and have a slight off-setting corresponding to an off-setting between the edges of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be inserted. The off-setting of the vertebrae could have been accurately measured beforehand, in order to choose a prosthesis whose off-setting of the plates (1, 2) perfectly corresponds to the off-setting of the is vertebrae.
The plates (1 and 2) of the prosthesis according to the invention each comprise a geometric centre (G1 and G2, respectively) which can be defined, generally speaking, by a point at equal distance from two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plates (1, 2). Normally, the 20 plates of the intervertebral disc prostheses have a relatively straightforward shape and their geometric centre can be of equal distance from all the points located on the periphery of the plates. Irrespective of the prosthesis, a geometric centre can be defined by a point or a surface located at equal distance from the edges of the plate. The geometric centres (G1, G2) of the 25 plates (1, 2) of the prosthesis according to the invention are not vertically aligned but are off-set to each other in at least one direction, for example antero-posterior, perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column. The two plates (1 and 2) of a single intervertebral disc prosthesis are usually substantially the same size and this off-set (D) of the geometric centres (G1, 3o G2) of the plates engenders an off-set of the edges of the plates (1, 2).
In the case of a prosthesis whose plates are not of the same size, it is envisaged to off-set the edges of the plates (1 and 2) and the geometric centres (G1, G2) will be even more off-set to each other.
In the different embodiments described below, the prosthesis comprises at least two plates (1 and 2), namely first (1) and second (2) plates, articulated about each other by means of a curved surface (11, 31), namely articulation, of at least one of the plates. This curved surface (11, 31) of articulation allows to pivot the plates (1, 2) about each other, via rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plates and/or to tilt the plates (1, 2) about each other, via rotation about an axis substantially io along the plane of the plates (1, 2). Each of the plates (1, 2) comprises a surface (14, 24) known as a contact surface, intended to be in contact with a vertebral plate of one of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be inserted. The geometric centre will hereafter be defined in relation to this contact surface for the sake of ease but it must be understood that it is the vertical axis passing through the geometric centre which matters in the principle of the invention and that the exact position of the geometric centre on the width of the plates has no relevance. In the different embodiments described below, each of the plates (1, 2) therefore comprises a geometric centre (G1, G2) at equal distance from at least two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plate (1, 2). The geometric centres (GI, G2) of the plates (1, 2) are not vertically aligned and this off-set (D) of the geometrical centres (GI, G2) of the plates engenders an off-set of the edges of the plates (1, 2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.
In the embodiment represented in figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 3C and 3D, the prosthesis only comprises two elements: two plates (1, 2). In this case, the second plate (2) comprises a curved surface (31) of articulation of which at least one section co-operates with a curved surface (11) of articulation of the first plate (1) to which it is complementary. The co-operating of these curved surfaces (11, 31) of articulation allows to pivot and/or tilt the plates (1, 2) about each other. A centre (C) of articulation vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface (31) of articulation of the second plate (2) can be defined. This centre (C) of articulation corresponds to the mid-position of the centre of the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) compared to the second plate (2). In the embodiment represented in the figures, the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is concave and the curved surface (31) of articulation 5 of the second plate (2) is convex but it can be the case that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is convex and that the curved surface (31) of articulation of the second plate (2) is concave.
In the embodiment represented in figures 1A to 1C, 3A, 3B and 5A to 5C, the prosthesis also comprises a core (3) comprising a plane surface (33) lo and a curved surface (31) of articulation. In the case of a prosthesis with three elements, only the first plate (1) comprises a curved surface of articulation (11) and this surface co-operates with at least a section of the curved surface (31) of the core (3) to which it is complementary, to allow to pivot and/or tilt the plates (1, 2) about each other. The plane surface (33) of the core (3) co-operates with at least a section of a plane surface (23) of the second plate (2) to allow a translation of the core (3) in relation to the second plate (2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column and/or a rotation of the core (3) in relation to the second plate (2) via rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of these plane surfaces. The second plate (2) comprises means for co-operating (22) which are complementary with means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) so as to restrict or abolish at least this translation of the core (3) in relation to the second plate (2). In the embodiments represented in figures, the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) are female means located in the vicinity of the edges of the second plate (2) and co-operating with the male means (32) of the core (3). In the embodiments represented in the figures, these male means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) are two studs located on the two side edges of the core (3) and the female means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) are four walls located, in pairs, on each of the two side edges of the second plate (2). These walls comprise an inward curving section towards the centre of the plate (2) and partially covering the male means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) so as to prevent the core (3) from lifting. In another embodiment of the invention, the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) can be male means located in the vicinity of the edges of the second plate (2) and co-operating with the female means (32) of the core (3). In an embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (32, 22) can be slightly smaller than those of the female means for co-operating (22, 32) so as to allow a slight travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2) around the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation. In another embodiment, the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (32, 22) io can be substantially identical to those of each female means for co-operating (22, 32) so as to prevent any travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2) and to retain the core (3) in the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation.
In this case of a prosthesis with three elements, the centre (C) of articulation is vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface (31) of articulation of the core (3) and correspond to the mid-position of the core (3) between the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) and to the mid-position of the centre of the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) in relation to the core (3). In the embodiment represented in the figures, the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is concave and the curved surface (31) of the core (3) is convex but it could be that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is convex and that the curved surface (31) of the core (3) is concave.
In an embodiment of the invention, the centre (C) of articulation is vertically aligned with the centre (G1) of geometry of the first plate (1) but off-set in relation to the geometric centre (G2) of the second plate (2) in at least a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column. This off-setting (D) of the geometric centres (G1, G2) of the plates engenders an off-setting of the edges of the plates (1, 2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column. In another embodiment of the invention, the centre (C) of articulation can also be off-set in relation to the geometric centre (G1) of the first plate (1). This off-setting of the centre (C) of articulation in relation to the geometric centre (GI) of the first plate (1) can be in the opposite direction to that of its off-setting (D) in relation to the geometric centre (G2) of the second plate (2) so that the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation lies between the vertical projections of the geometric centres (G1, G2) of the plates (1, 2) and so that the off-setting of the geometric centres (G1, G2) in relation to the centre (C) of articulation cumulate and engender an off-setting of the edges of the plates (1, 2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.
This off-setting of the centre (C) of articulation in relation to the geometric io centre (G1) of the first plate (1) can also be in the same direction as that of its off-setting (D) in relation to the geometric centre (G2) of the second plate (2), but at a lesser distance so that these off-settings partially compensate each other and engender an off-setting of the edges of the plates (1, 2) between themselves in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.
It can be beneficial that the prosthesis according to the invention allows to make good the slope defects of the vertebrae between which it is intended to be inserted. The median planes representing the contact surfaces (14, 24) of the plates (1, 2) can therefore be substantially parallel or create an acute angle. The slope obtained by such an angle will allow the overall shape of the prosthesis to be adapted to the anatomy of the spinal column or to correct any possible slope defects of the vertebrae of the patient for whom the prosthesis is intended. The same plates (1, 2) are assembled with core (3) of different thicknesses and/or dimensions and/or shapes. The plates (1, 2) can comprise, at least on their anterior edge, at least a bevel (12) facilitating the insertion of the prosthesis between the vertebrae.
The prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises removable (or mobile) osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) allowing to anchor the plates (1, 2) in the vertebrae. These osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) and/or the plates (1, 2) can thus comprise means for securing (43 and/or 211, 212) of the binding of the osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) on the plates (1, 2).

In a first embodiment of the mobile osseous anchorage means (4B), at least a plate (40), equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent this notched plate (40) from falling out once inserted in a vertebra, is intended to be interlocked on to at least one edge (21) of an opening in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2), thanks to an inwardly curved section (41).
Thus, these mobile osseous anchorage means (4B) can be inserted into the vertebrae and interlocked on to the plates of the prosthesis once the latter has been inserted between the vertebrae. This embodiment of the mobile osseous anchorage means (4B) allows a possible adjustment of the position io of the prosthesis between the vertebrae prior to definitive bonding. The end of the notched plate (40) opposite the one with an inwardly curved section (41) can comprise a bevel allowing to faciiitate the insertion of the notched plate (40) into the vertebrae. The opening in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2) can comprise a sloping section (210) on to which the notched plate (40) leans when the curved section (41) of the osseous anchorage means (4B) is interlocked on to the edge (21) of this opening. This sloping section (210) allows to set the angle of the osseous anchorage means (4B) in relation to the plates and to guide them when they are being inserted into the opening. The means for securing (43) can consist in flexible tabs (43) oriented towards the curved section (41) of the osseous anchorage means (4B) and intended to fold back against the edges of the plate (40) when inserting the osseous anchorage means (4B) into the openings in the plates (1, 2). During the interlocking of the curved sections (41) onto the edges (21) of the openings in the plates (1, 2), these flexible tabs (43) separate to lean against the limit stops (211) located on the walls of the openings in the plates (1, 2), so as to prevent the osseous anchorage means (4B) from falling out. In an alternative embodiment, the inwardly curved section (41) of the notched plate (40) of the mobile osseous anchorage means (4) extends via a second plate (40) also equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent the plate (40) from falling out once inserted into the vertebrae.

In a second embodiment the mobile osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) of the plates (1, 2) at least one winglet (4A) is equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent the winglet (4A) from falling out once inserted into a groove made in a vertebra. One end of the winglet (4A) has an inwardly curved section (41) and intended to be interlocked on to at least one edge (21) of an opening in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2). The means for securing (43) of the winglet (4A) can thus consist in at least a stud (43) located on the lower surface of the winglet (4A) and intended to be interlocked into at least one hole (210) on the contact surfaces (14, 24) of the io plates (1, 2). The stud (43) and the hole (210) will be of complementary shape and size so as to secure the winglet (4A) on to the plates (1, 2). In this embodiment, the vertebrae, between which the prosthesis is intended to be inserted, will have been previously prepared by the surgeon by hollowing out, in the vertebral plates, grooves of complementary shape and size with the shape and size of the winglets (4A).
It should be obvious for those skilled in the art that the invention allows embodiments under numerous other specific forms whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed. Consequently, the embodiments should be considered as purely illustrative, but can be modified in the field 2o defined by the impact of the attached claims, and the invention should not be restricted to the aforementioned details.

Claims

1. Intervertebral disc prosthesis for implantation between vertebrae of a spinal column, comprising at least two plates (1, 2), namely first (1) and second (2) plates, articulated about each other by means of at least one curved surface (11, 31), namely articulation, of at least one of the plates, allowing to pivot and/or tilt the plates (1, 2) in relation to each other, via rotation about, respectively, an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plates and an axis substantially in the plane of the plates, said curved articulation surfaces (11, 31) having a vertex vertically aligned with a centre (C) of articulation of the prosthesis, each of the plates (1, 2) comprising edges and a surface (14, 24) known as a contact surface, intended to be in contact with a vertebral plate of one of the vertebrae between which the prosthesis is intended to be implanted, this contact surface for each of the plates comprising a geometric centre (G1, G2) at equal distance from at least two diametrically opposite points located on the periphery of the plate (1, 2),wherein:
- the centre (C) of articulation of the prosthesis is vertically aligned with one of the geometric centres (G1 G2) of the plates (1, 2);
- the geometric centres (G1, G2) of the plates (1, 2) are not vertically aligned and thus are off-set (D) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column;
characterised in that the contact surfaces (14, 24) of the two plates have substantially the same dimensions and the edges of the plates (1, 2) are thus also off-set in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column.

2. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1, characterised in that the second plate (2) comprises a curved surface (31) of articulation of which at least one part co-operates with a curved surface (11) of articulation of the first plate (1) for which it is complementary, in order to allow the articulation, by pivoting and/or tilting, of the plates (1, 2) in relation to each other, the centre (C) of articulation vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface (31) of articulation of the second plate (2) corresponding to the mid-position of the centre of the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) in relation to the second plate (2).

3. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 2, characterised in that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is concave and the curved surface (31) of articulation of the second plate (2) is convex.

4. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 2, characterised in that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is convex and the curved surface (31) of articulation of the second plate (2) is concave.

5. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1, characterised in that it also comprises a core (3) comprising a plane surface (33) and a curved surface (31) of articulation and in that only the first plate (1) comprises a curved surface (11) of articulation co-operating with at least one part of the curved surface (31) of the core (3) for which it is complementary, in order to allow the pivoting and/or tilting of the plates (1, 2) in relation to each other, the plane surface (33) of the core (3) co-operating with at least one part of a plane surface (23) of the second plate (2) in order to allow a translation and/or a rotation of the core (3) in relation to the second plate (2) in at least one direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spinal column, the second plate (2) comprising means for co-operating (22) complementary with means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) allowing to restrict or abolish at least this translation of the core (3) in relation to the second plate (2), the centre (C) of articulation vertically aligned with the vertex of the curved surface (31) of articulation of the core (3) corresponding to the mid-position of the core (3) between the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) and to the mid-position of the centre of the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) in relation to the core (3).

6. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 5, characterised in that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is concave and the curved surface (31) of the core (3) is convex.

7. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 5, characterised in that the curved surface (11) of the first plate (1) is convex and the curved surface (31) of the core (3) is concave.

8. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) are female means located in the vicinity of the edges of the second plate (2) and co-operating with the male means (32) of the core (3).

9. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 8, characterised in that the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (32) are slightly smaller than those of the female means for co-operating (22) in order to allow a slight travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2) around the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation.

10. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 9, characterised in that the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (32) are substantially the same as those of each female means for co-operating (22) in order to prevent any travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2) and to maintain the core (3) in the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation.

11. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) are the male means located in the vicinity of the edges of the second plate (2) and co-operating with the female means (32) of the core (3).

12. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 11, characterised in that the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (22) are slightly smaller than those of each female means for co-operating (32) in order to allow as slight travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2), around the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation.

13. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 11, characterised in that the dimensions of each male means for co-operating (22) are substantially the same as those of each female means for co-operating (32) in order to prevent any travel between the core (3) and the second plate (2) and to maintain the core (3) in the position corresponding to the vertical projection of the centre (C) of articulation.

14. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 8, characterised in that the male means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) are two studs located on the two side edges of the core (3) and the female means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) are four walls located, in pairs, on each of the two side edges of the second plate (2).

15. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 14, characterised in that the female means for co-operating (22) of the second plate (2) comprise a section dish-shaped towards the centre of the plate (2) and partly covering the male means for co-operating (32) of the core (3) in order to prevent the core (3) from lifting.

16. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the median planes representing the contact surfaces (14, 24) of the plates (1, 2) are substantially parallel or create an acute angle, the slope obtained by such an angle allowing to adapt the overall shape of the prosthesis to the anatomy of the spinal column or to possibly correct any slope defects of the vertebrae of the patient for whom the prosthesis is intended for.

17. Intervertebral disc prosthesis according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the plates (1, 2) comprise, at least on their lower edge, at least a bevel (12) facilitating the insertion of the prosthesis between the vertebrae.

18. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to any one of claims 5 to 17, characterised in that the same plates (1, 2) can be assembled with cores (3) of different thicknesses and/or dimensions and/or shapes.

19. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that the plates (1, 2) comprise mobile osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B).

20. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 19, characterised in that the osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) and/or the plates (1, 2) comprise means for securing (43 and/or 211, 212) the binding of the osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) on the plates (1, 2).

21. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the mobile osseous anchorage means (46) of the plates (1, 2) consists in at least one plate (40) equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent this notched plate (40) from falling out once inserted in a vertebra, one end of the plate (40) having an inward curving section (41) and intended to be interlocked onto at least one edge (21) of an opening located in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2).

22. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 21, characterised in that the end of the notched plate (40), opposite the one with an inward curving section (41), comprises a bevel facilitating the insertion of the notched plate (40) into the vertebrae.

23. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the opening located in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2) comprises a sloping section (210) on which the notched plate (40) leans when the curved section (41) of the osseous anchorage means (4B) is interlocked onto the edge (21) of this opening, this sloping section (210) thus allowing to set the angle of the osseous anchorage means (4B) in relation to the plates and to guide them when being inserted into the opening.

24. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 21, characterised in that the means for securing (43) consist in flexible tabs (43) oriented towards the curved section (41) of the osseous anchorage means (4B) and intended to fold back against the edges of the plate (40) when inserting the osseous anchorage means (4B) into the openings in the plates (1, 2), then to spring back so as to lean against the limit stops (211) located on the walls of the openings in the plates (1, 2) during the interlocking of the curved sections (41) onto the edges (21) of the openings in the plates (1, 2), so as to prevent the osseous anchorage means (4B) from falling out.

25. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterised in that the inward curving section (41) of the notched plate (40) of the mobile osseous anchorage means (4B) extends by means of a second plate (40) also equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent the plate (40) from falling out once inserted into the vertebra.

26. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the mobile osseous anchorage means (4A, 4B) of the plates (1, 2) consist in at least a winglet (4A) equipped with notches (42) oriented so as to prevent the winglet (4A) from falling out once inserted in a groove made in a vertebra, one end of the winglet (4A) having an inward curving section (41) and intended to be interlocked on to at least one edge (21) of an opening in the vicinity of the periphery of the plates (1, 2).

27. Intervertebral disc prostheses according to claim 26, characterised in that the means for securing (43) the winglet (4A) consist in at least one stud (43) located on the lower surface of the winglet (4A) and intended to be interlocked into at least one hole (210) in the contact surfaces (14, 24) of the plates (1, 2), the stud (43) and the hole (210) being of complementary shape and size so as to secure the winglet (4A) in place on the plates (1, 2).