Affiliations: [a] Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Manufacturing, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China | [b] National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical Engineering Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China | [c] Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Yi Wan, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 17923 Jingshi Road Jinan, China. E-mail: wanyi@sdu.edu.cn
Abstract: Fusion cage has been used in lumbar fusion procedure to treat degenerative disc disorders for decades. To address the drawback of Titanium (Ti) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage, a combination Ti/PEEK cage was proposed in present study. Topology optimization was performed to tailor the topological structure of Ti/PEEK cage. The biomechanical performance was comprehensively assessed using finite element method under simulated physiological load conditions. The volume of optimized cage was reduced by 9.7%. The increased volume for bone graft might improve the fusion performance. The lower peak stress was observed on superior and inferior bone endplates of Ti/PEEK cage model, which reduced the risk of cage subsidence. Meanwhile, Ti/PEEK cage effectively reduced the stress shielding effect associated with over-stiffness of Ti cage. In conclusion, the combination Ti/PEEK cage might be a better choice for fusion surgery in relation to Ti or PEEK cage.
Keywords: Fusion cage, lumbar spine, topology optimization, finite element
