title: The use of BoneWelding® technology in spinal surgery: an experimental study in sheep.
abstract: The innovative BoneWelding(®) technology, where ultrasound energy bonds bioresorbable implants to bone, was tested for its feasibility in spine surgery and its local thermal effects. The three tested concepts consisted of implementation of a resorbable plating system, two converging polymer pins and suture anchors to the cervical vertebral bodies. Bioresorbable polylactide implants (PLDLLA 70/30) were inserted ventrally into the third and fourth vertebral body of seven sheep, of which six were sacrificed at 2 months and one sheep immediately after temperature measurements during implant insertion. Polymer screws were used as controls. Qualitative, semi-quantitative histological, and quantitative histomorphometrical evaluation showed excellent anchorage of the implants, new mineralized bone at the implant-bone interface, no inflammatory cell reaction or thermal damage to the adjacent bone in response to the novel insertion technology. The application of two converging pins, parallel inserted polymer pins, or fusion of the implant to the polymer plates did not affect the overall excellent tissue tolerance of the technology. Temperature increase during insertion was noticed but never exceeded 47°C for less than 1 s. The BoneWelding(®) technology was proven to be safe and easy to apply.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty ZH, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heidenreich
authors.forename: Jens D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Langhoff
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nuss
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kluge
authors.forename: Käthi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kämpf
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zlinsky
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hilbe
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: von Rechenberg
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D008422:Materials Testing; D012756:Sheep