title: [Fusion implants of carbon fiber reinforced plastic].
abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are used in the medical field when high mechanical strength, innovative design, and radiolucency (see spinal fusion implants) are needed. During the manufacturing process of the material CFRP carbon fibers are embedded into a resin matrix. This resin material could be thermoset (e.g., epoxy resin EPN/DDS) or thermoplastic (e.g., PEAK). CFRP is biocompatible, radiolucent, and has higher mechanical capabilities compared to other implant materials. This publication demonstrates the manufacturing process of fusion implants made of a thermoset matrix system using a fiber winding process. The material has been used clinically since 1994 for fusion implants of the cervical and lumbar spine. The results of the fusion systems CORNERSTONE-SR C (cervical) and UNION (lumbar) showed no implant-related complications. New implant systems made of this CFRP material are under investigation and are presented.
authors.affiliation: Medtronic Sofamor Danek Deggendorf GmbH, Werftstrasse 17, 94469 Deggendorf. hfrueh@sofamordanek.com
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Früh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liebetrau
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertagnoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D010969:Plastics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D010969:Plastics; D002244:Carbon