title: Investigation of different cage designs and mechano-regulation algorithms in the lumbar interbody fusion process - a finite element analysis.
abstract: Lumbar interbody fusion cages are commonly used to treat painful spinal degeneration and instability by achieving bony fusion. Many different cage designs exist, however the effect of cage morphology and material properties on the fusion process remains largely unknown. This finite element model study aims to investigate the influence of different cage designs on bone fusion using two mechano-regulation algorithms of tissue formation. It could be observed that different cages play a distinct key role in the mechanical conditions within the fusion region and therefore regulate the time course of the fusion process.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Escuela de Ingenierías, C/Pedro Ortiz Ramos S/N, Campus de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, España. Electronic address: spostigo@uma.es.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Postigo
authors.affiliation: Julius Wolff Institut, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Julius Wolff Institut, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Antonius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rohlmann
authors.affiliation: Center of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Clinic for Orthopaedics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Putzier
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Escuela de Ingenierías, C/Pedro Ortiz Ramos S/N, Campus de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, España.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simón
authors.affiliation: Julius Wolff Institut, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duda
authors.affiliation: Julius Wolff Institut, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Checa
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D010539:Permeability; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D016062:Porosity; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
keywords: Cage designs; Finite element method; Lumbar spinal fusion; Mechano-differentiation model