HySpine

Development of a Metal-Free Spinal Implant

Within this project, a composite implant is developed and crucial research questions are answered. At the end of the project, the process of certification can further be approached.

Pedicle screw systems are used to stabilize the spine and to correct its alignment. Nowadays, titanium is the standard material used for these medical implants. However, several disadvantages are linked to metallic implants. Exemplarily, artefacts can appear on medical images (CT, MRI, X-ray). Furthermore, metallic implants can lead to backscattering during radiotherapy and the bone can degenerate due to the high implant stiffness (stress shielding). With the usage of carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF-PEEK) as  implant material, these and other disadvantages can be eliminated. Patient’s comfort is increased and postoperative follow-up is improved. To characterize the material properties, which are relevant for example for the process of manufacturing, extensive analytical and mechanical studies have been performed. Besides, numerical analysis (finite element simulations) and experimental investigations of the pedicle screw and the pedicle screw system were conducted.

Field of competence

Industry sectors

Project status

  • Archived

Contacts

Dr.-Ing.

Nicole Motsch-Eichmann

Manager Design of Composite Structures

Telephone: +49 631 2017 423

nicole.motsch@leibniz-ivw.de

Fundings

The Eurostars project HySpine – Development of a non-metallic spinal implant based on a new composite processing technology is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag (funding reference 01QE1633C).