Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 13.11
Tapered PEEK cage for
the lumbar spine (LT-CAGE System:
Medtronic
(A)
(B)
Spinal
and
Biologics,
Memphis, TN).
13.5 Clinical Diagnostic Imaging
of PEEK Spinal Cages and
Transpedicular Screws
The compatibility of PAEK polymers with clinical
diagnostic imaging has been a major driver for the
widespread adoption of this polymer family for
spinal applications. Numerous studies have remarked
upon the radiolucency of the neat and reinforced
spinal implants fabricated from PEKEKK and PEEK,
which have been found to greatly facilitate radio-
graphic assessment of fusion in vivo
[30
e
32,40,49]
.
Computed tomography (CT) generally provides
a more reliable assessment of fusion than plane
radiographs
[49]
.
Figure 13.14
shows a representa-
tive lateral radiograph of a solid fusion in the lumbar
spine through the fenestrations of a Brantigan cage.
Figure 13.12
Threaded PEEK interbody device filled
with autograft prior to implantation into a goal animal
model. Reproduced with permission from Ref.
[40]
.
Figure 13.13
Histological section of autograft-treated goats in a prospective study of threaded PEEK cages. Repro-
duced with permission from Ref.
[40]
.
