Spinal fusion surgery is performed to alleviate low back pain, and a cage implant is a spacer that sits in between two vertebrae to allow for bone growth and fusion, all while relieving compression of the spinal cord. This paper presents the design, modeling, and experimental evaluation of a minimally invasive cage which utilizes superelastic Nitinol elliptical shaped hinges. The actuation mechanism is presented and the employed additive manufacturing technique is discussed. The modeling approach is also introduced and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the model.
AndaniMTAlipourAEshghinejadA. (2013) Modifying the torque–angle behavior of rotary shape memory alloy actuators through axial loading: A semi-analytical study of combined tension-torsion behavior. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures24(12): 1524–1535.
2.
AndaniMTElahiniaM (2014) A rate dependent tension–torsion constitutive model for superelastic Nitinol under non-proportional loading; A departure from von Mises equivalency. Smart Materials and Structures23(1): 015012.
3.
AndersonW (2013) Development of an intervertebral cage using additive manufacturing with embedded NiTi hinges for a minimally invasive deployment. PhD Thesis. University of Toledo, OH, USA.
4.
AndersonWChapmanCKarbaschiZ. (2013) Design and testing of a minimally invasive intervertral cage for spinal fusion. Smart Structures and Systems11(4).
5.
BerjanoPBalsanoMBuricJ. (2012) Direct lateral access lumbar and thoracolumbar fusion: Preliminary results. European Spine Journal21(1): 37–42.
6.
BoydJLagoudasD (1996) A thermodynamic constitutive model for the shape memory alloy materials. Part I. The monolithic shape memory alloy. International Journal of Plasticity12: 805–842.
7.
BurkusJ (2003) Advances and current techniques for lumbar interbody fusion. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics13: 195–201.
8.
ChapmanCA (2011) Design of an expandable intervertebral cage utilizing shape memory alloys. PhD Thesis. University of Toledo, OH, USA.
9.
ChemiskyYDuvalAPatoorE. (2011) Constitutive model for shape memory alloys including phase transformation, martensitic reorientation and twins accommodation. Mechanics of Materials43(7): 361–376. doi:10.1016/j.mechmat.2011.04.003.
10.
KapanenARyhaKnenJDanilovA. (2001) Effect of nickel–titanium shape memory metal alloy on bone formation. Biomaterials22: 2475–2480.
11.
KodamaT (1989) Study on biocompatibility of titanium alloys. PubMed56: 263–288.
12.
LagoudasDC (2008) Shape Memory Alloys: Modeling and Engineering Applications. New York; London: Springer.
13.
MayerH (1999) The ALIF concept. European Spine Journal9: S035–S043.
14.
MehrabiRKadkhodaeiMElahiniaM (2014) A thermodynamically-consistent microplane model for shape memory alloys. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 51(14): 2666–2675. Elsevier.
15.
MoussaMOMoumniZTouzéODC. (2012) Non-linear dynamic thermomechanical behaviour of shape memory alloys. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures23(14): 1593–1611.
16.
NachemsonA (1992) Newest knowledge of low back pain. A critical look. Technical Report 279, Clin Orthop, pp.8–20.
17.
OzgurBMAryanHEPimentaL. (2006a) Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF): A novel surgical technique for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The Spine Journal6(4): 435–443.
18.
OzgurBMHughesSABairdLC. disruptive decompression and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The Spine Journal.
19.
QidwaiMALagoudasDC (2000) On thermomechanics and transformation surfaces of polycrystalline niti shape memory alloy material. International Journal of Plasticity16: 1309–1343.
20.
RyhanenJKallioinenMTuukkanenJ. (1998) In vivo biocompatibility evaluation of nickel–titanium shape memory metal alloy: Muscle and perineural tissue responses and encapsule membrane thickness. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research41(3): 481–488.
21.
Saint-SulpiceLChiraniSACallochS (2009) A 3D super-elastic model for shape memory alloys taking into account progressive strain under cyclic loadings. Mechanics of Materials41(1): 12–26. doi:10.1016/j.mechmat.2008.07.004.
22.
SaleebAPadula IISKumarA (2011) A multi-axial, multimechanism based constitutive model for the comprehensive representation of the evolutionary response of SMAS under general thermomechanical loading conditions. International Journal of Plasticity27(5): 655–687.
23.
SedlakPFrostMBenešováB. (2012) Thermomechanical model for niti-based shape memory alloys including r-phase and material anisotropy under multi-axial loadings. International Journal of Plasticity39(0): 132–151. doi:10.1016/j.ijplas.2012.06.008.
24.
SittnerPHaraYTokudaM (1995) Experimental study on the thermoelastic martensitic transformation in shape memory alloy polycrystal induced by combined external forces. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A26A: 2923–2935.
25.
TruumeesEMajidKBrkaricM (2008) Anterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of mechanical low back pain. Seminar in Spine Surgery10: 113–125.
26.
WeverDVeldhuizenASandersM. (1997) Cytotoxic, allergic and genotoxic activity of a nickel–titanium alloy. Biomaterials18: 1115–1120.
