Biomechanical Study of a Novel, Expandable, Non-Metallic and Radiolucent CF/PEEK Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)

Materials

Stephanie-Alice Goerke¹  Anna Spicher²  Werner Schmoelz²  Daniel Adler³  Michael Akbar³ 

[1] Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;Spine Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma Surgery and Division of Spinal Cord Injury, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstraße 200A, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany;

关键词: Vertebral body replacement (VBR);    non metallic;    radiolucent;    CF/PEEK;    biomechanics;    tumor;    vertebral fracture;    spine;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma12172732

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Vertebral body replacement is well-established to stabilize vertebral injuries due to trauma or cancer. Spinal implants are mainly manufactured by metallic alloys; which leads to artifacts in radiological diagnostics; as well as in radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical data of a novel carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) vertebral body replacement (VBR). Six thoracolumbar specimens were tested in a six degrees of freedom spine tester. In all tested specimens CF/PEEK pedicle screws were used. Two different rods (CF/PEEK versus titanium) with/without cross connectors and two different VBRs (CF/PEEK prototype versus titanium) were tested. In lateral bending and flexion/extension; range of motion (ROM) was significantly reduced in all instrumented states. In axial rotation; the CF/PEEK combination (rods and VBR) resulted in the highest ROM; whereas titanium rods with titanium VBR resulted in the lowest ROM. Two cross connectors reduced ROM in axial rotation for all instrumentations independently of VBR or rod material. All instrumented states in all planes of motion showed a significantly reduced ROM. No significant differences were detected between the VBR materials in all planes of motion. Less rigid CF/PEEK rods in combination with the CF/PEEK VBR without cross connectors showed the smallest reduction in ROM. Independently of VBR and rod material; two cross connectors significantly reduced ROM in axial rotation. Compared to titanium rods; the use of CF/PEEK rods results in higher ROM. The stiffness of rod material has more influence on the ROM than the stiffness of VBR material.

【 授权许可】

Unknown