LUMBAR ARTIFICIAL DISC WITH NEW POLYMER, MOTION CONSTRAINTS AND EMBEDDED ELECTRO

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The replacement of degenerated discs by prosthetic discs will become commonplace in the US over the next few years. Prosthetic discs are designed to withstand loads in the human spine that are poorly understood. This experimental disc is designed with embedded electronics to help the surgeon manage the patient for successful long-term survival of the implant. Implants with sensors will give unprecedented data o the surgeon and patient toward this goal. This disc is mechanically different than any of the ball and socket discs in clinical trials. Its mechanical function will be investigated in the baboon model to obtain preliminary data in order to design a foreign human trial. If the new device performs as expected, it offers the potential for better quality of life for the patient with less chance or longer time before re-operation is required. Patients are more likely to return to manual labor jobs more quickly and with knowledge of how their job affects their prosthesis and spine.