A biomimetic artificial intervertebral disc system composed of a cubic three-dimensional fabric (3DF Disc)

[ajj1001]

The principle names of those involved in the testing, research and development seem to be are here on Spine Journal. It seems at least some of the development is taking place in Japan.

Y. Shikinami is a prominent name among the research employed by this company Takiron which produces biomedical materials. Pretty fascinating company.




Some of the key Names
----------------------------
Y. Shikinami 1, Y. Kotani 2, B. W. Cunningham 3, K. Abumi 2, K. Kaneda 2


1: Takiron Co., Ltd, Medical Div. 2-3-13, Osaka, Japan

2: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

3: Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA

I'll keep any eye out for anything I see mentioning them/it.

[Lynda]

Carson, pm me your email address and I'll forward a paper with an image.

If you can access this journal there is an image in the paper:

SPINE Volume 28, Number 7, pp 637–644
©2003, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Bone Ingrowth Fixation of Artificial Intervertebral Disc
Consisting of Bioceramic-Coated
Three-dimensional Fabric

Masahiko Takahata, MD,* Yoshihisa Kotani, MD,* Kuniyoshi Abumi, MD,*
Yasuo Shikinami, PhD,† Tsuyoshi Kadosawa, DVM,‡ Kiyoshi Kaneda, MD,* and
Akio Minami, MD*

Study Design.

The bone-bonding characteristic of the
new artificial intervertebral disc consisting of bioceramiccoated
three-dimensional fabric was evaluated mechanically
and histologically in an in vivo sheep model.

Objectives.

To investigate the mechanical properties
and the histologic appearance of the interface between
the three-dimensional fabric disc and the vertebral body,
and to evaluate these alterations in vivo under a spinal
segmentally mobile condition.

Summary of Background Data.

Bone ingrowth to the
bioceramic-coated three-dimensional fabric surface had
been demonstrated already under a stable environment
in preliminary animal studies.

Methods.

For this study, 20 sheep underwent two-level
lumbar intervertebral disc replacement with threedimensional
fabric discs (Group I) or bioceramic spacers as
a comparative material (Group II). All operative segments
were stabilized temporarily with spinal instrumentation for
the initial ingrown phase. Four animals each were killed at 4,
6, 15, and 24 months in Group I and at 6 months in Group II,
and the operative segments were subjected to either a detachment
test or histologic evaluation.

Results.

The interfacial tensile strength at 6 months
was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II. No
significant decrease in tensile strength was detected until
24 months after surgery in Group I. Histologically, bone
ingrowth to the three-dimensional fabric surface was observed
4 months after surgery, and no aseptic loosening
occurred until 24 months after surgery.

Conclusions.

The findings show that the threedimensional
fabric disc was firmly fixed to the vertebral
body by bone ingrowth, and that this biologic fixation was
preserved even under the spinal segmentally mobile
condition. [Key words: artificial intervertebral disc, bioactive
ceramic, bond strength, bone ingrowth, threedimensional

polymer fabric] Spine 2003;28:637–644

[Carson]

Excellent! Thank you kindly, Lynda. I don't have a subscription to JNS, no. PM is sent.

I had near given up looking for the image. I greatly appreciate your timely help.

[dillie]

Anybody have access to Pubmed?

I'm trying to read this paper:

Bone graft and bone graft substitutes: a review of current technology and applications.
Damien CJ, Parsons JR.

J Appl Biomater 1991 Fall:2(3) 187-208

Can only access the abstract and I don't have a subscription to Pubmed, I'd be very grateful for any help.

:thumpup:

[Carson]

Still awaiting the paper from Lynda but I did find this random example of the 3DF fabric. This was a small disc used in a two year animal (sheep) study somewhere around 2000-2003. There are articles on development of the fabric going back to 1998.

The fabric is woven of a fiber called UHMWPE fiber (UHMWPE = ultra–high molecular weight polyethylen). The fabric disc is spray coated at depth with bioactive ceramic granules which apparently make for excellent osteointegration between disc and vertebral bodies.

Microphoto of the the fabric disc in use between vertebrae of a sheep



3DF fabric

[Greg]

Carson,

Way to pull one out of left field with the image I thought I would never see an image of what this disc might look like. This is definitely the wave of the future. If my reovery goes well I will have no more need for an artificial disc but I have gotten so excited about the future of this one that I still cant wait to see how application in humans turns out. Thanks again for finding the ever elusive picture

This is kind of but not completely I cant believe the material they are using for this disc.....this isn't a bad thing; the company I work for makes entry tools for military and police to break into houses and the battering ram we make to break down doors with uses the same material. UHMWPE = ultra–high molecular weight polyethylene. Now the material is manufactured a different way for us to have a solid plastic pipe versus the disc being made of woven fibers to create a fabric. Polyethylene (a form of plastic) has truly revolutionized the world we live in making its way into so many things we use. It is almost impossible (unless your a cavemen....leave me alone Gieco) to go through one day without using something that isnt made out of polyethylene. And now this magical ingredient looks like its about to join the world of spines as well. Thats just too cool

Here's a picture of the battering ram, this is the new handle design I'm launching for 2011.....you all should feel special as only a few have seen this picture This goes to show you how versatile polyethylene is and how it can be something rugged and tough enough to break down a heavily fortified door or delicate and life changing as a replacement to an invertebral disc in the human spine...wow!

[sportsnut3007]

All i can say is get this bad boy to market lol. But im sure this is 10 years minimum from market release lol. This is def the answer for adr with xlif in the future. Then for l5/s1 idk what they can do besides maybe through trans one approach push up a little elastomer loop then attach it somehow then fill in with like nucore gel, and presto new l5/s1.

[dillie]

Anybody have access to Pubmed?

I'm trying to read this paper:

Bone graft and bone graft substitutes: a review of current technology and applications.
Damien CJ, Parsons JR.

J Appl Biomater 1991 Fall:2(3) 187-208

Can only access the abstract and I don't have a subscription to Pubmed, I'd be very grateful for any help.

:thumpup:

Thanks Carson,
The paper I'm after is a precursor to the latest stuff you're talking about, it's a comparison of different Bio-Ceramics and I'm very interested as I was the unwitting recipient of it.
Surely someone must have access to Pubmed....pleeease
How about you Justin, you are the Oracle after all!

[Lynda]

Dillie,

I've tried to access the paper you're interested in but can only access the abstract no matter how hard I try ???

Hopefully someone else will be kind enough to do a search for you.

Carson, I've tried again to email the 3DF paper to you, don't know why it didn't get through first time round? Fingers crossed that you get it this time.

Best wishes

Lynda

PS I'll see if I can attach it here....can't as it exceeds the limit, maybe that's why it didn't get through to you too Carson? If you pm me your address I'll print it off and post it to you.

[JK2234]

very cool....