A simplified procedure for the mechanical testing of lumbar spinal fixation implants

Journal
Biomedical engineering : joint journal of the German Society for Biomedical Engineering in VDE and the Austrian and Swiss Societies for Biomedical Engineering  
Volume
44
Issue
10
Start Page
283
End Page
289
Citation
Biomedical engineering 44 (10): 283-289 (1999)
Publisher DOI
10.1515/bmte.1999.44.10.283
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032745757
Publisher
de Gruyter
On the basis of the current ASTM and ISO standard proposals, a simplified test procedure for spinal fixation implants has been developed. It comprises static and dynamic tests aimed at evaluating the stiffness and strength of various different internal implants. Different methods of mounting the pedicle screws to the test device are shown to significantly affect the characteristic values and failure mechanisms of the implants. The feasibility of the procedure was investigated by comparing 7 different internal fixation implants. The reproducible results revealed general differences associated with the material, dimensions and design, which latter in particular correlated with the specific failure mechanisms. For longer- term in situ duration, testing of these implants should be expanded to include an analysis of wear and corrosion properties.
Subjects
Durability
Failure mechanisms
Internal fixation implants
Spine
Stiffness
DDC Class
570: Life Sciences, Biology
610: Medicine, Health