title: Design Concepts of Polycarbonate-Based Intervertebral Lumbar Cages: Finite Element Analysis and Compression Testing.
abstract: This work explores the viability of 3D printed intervertebral lumbar cages based on biocompatible polycarbonate (PC-ISO® material). Several design concepts are proposed for the generation of patient-specific intervertebral lumbar cages. The 3D printed material achieved compressive yield strength of 55 MPa under a specific combination of manufacturing parameters. The literature recommends a reference load of 4,000 N for design of intervertebral lumbar cages. Under compression testing conditions, the proposed design concepts withstand between 7,500 and 10,000 N of load before showing yielding. Although some stress concentration regions were found during analysis, the overall viability of the proposed design concepts was validated.
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: J Obedt
authors: JO
authors: Figueroa-Cavazos
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Flores-Villalba
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina, 64710 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: José A
authors: JA
authors: Diaz-Elizondo
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: Oscar
authors: 0000-0002-3837-2083
authors: O
authors: Martínez-Romero
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: Ciro A
authors: 0000-0003-2289-4239
authors: CA
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
authors: Héctor R
authors: 0000-0002-0782-1974
authors: HR
authors: Siller