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Mechanical Implant Material Selection, Durability, Strength, and Stiffness

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Abstract

Spinal implants are manufactured from a variety of materials to meet user needs as well as the requirements of the physical and environmental demands upon the device. Commonly used materials include titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome, nitinol, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), silicon nitride, biodegradable polymers, and allograft bone. Material choices can be driven by requirements for strength, biocompatibility, bone ongrowth, flexibility, and radiolucency. Coatings may also be applied to the implants to further enhance physical or biological properties of the implant. These may include hydroxyapatite, titanium plasma, or a combination of these two materials. Additionally, implants may have a porous layer or open structure for improvement of osteointegration. Spinal implants are commonly made using conventional manufacturing methods such as machining and injection molding, but additive manufacturing is becoming more commonly used to produce certain implants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Development, DePuy Synthes Spine, Raynham, MA, USA

    Robert Sommerich, Melissa (Kuhn) DeCelle & William J. Frasier

Authors
  1. Robert Sommerich
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  2. Melissa (Kuhn) DeCelle
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  3. William J. Frasier
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to William J. Frasier .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, Mars, PA, USA

    Boyle Cheng

Section Editor information

  1. Co-founder & Treasurer, I.M.S. Society, Easten, MA, USA

    Hassan Serhan Ph.D.

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Tony Tannoury MD

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Sommerich, R., DeCelle, M.(., Frasier, W.J. (2020). Mechanical Implant Material Selection, Durability, Strength, and Stiffness. In: Cheng, B. (eds) Handbook of Spine Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2_30-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2_30-1

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