- M. Prajapati, M. Tammemagi, C. Tschirhart, A. Troeller Advised by: Dr. John Runciman

Advised by: Dr. Simmon X. Yang

Millions of people suffer from chronic back pain and degenerative disc disease worldwide. Treatment for degenerative disc disease almost always entails invasive surgical procedures including spinal fusion. Spinal fusion, however, can cause degeneration in adjacent segments, causing more pain. An alternative to spinal fusion would help minimize complications and bring increased mobility to the repaired section.

Guelph Engineering students M. Prajapati, M. Tammemagi, C. Tschirhart, and A. Troeller designed an artificial intervertebral disc that would help eliminate some of the negative aspects of spinal fusion. The new discs are made of three main sections: the Zirconia ceramic endplate, articulating polyethylene ball, and the polycarbonate urethane ring. The entire design was modeled in I-DEAS and then subjected to an FEA (finite element analysis) to determine the stress and deformation experienced during a heavy load. Using the FEA data, the dimensions of the components were continuously optimised.

The resulting tests showed that the artificial intervertebral disc would provide a successful alternative to fusion as it restored the functional biomechanics of an intervertebral disc.

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