Design and test of a novel non-fusion scoliosis correction system
M. Wesselsa, E.E.G. Hekmana, J. Hommingaa, G.J. Verkerkea,b
aUniversity of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
bUniversity Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Surgical treatment of scoliosis generally results in a completely rigid spine and can only be done after growth. We developed a revolutionary non-fusion correction system that slowly, but persistently corrects. It is extremely flexible and extendable. The system (XS-TOR) generates a torque to correct the axial rotation of the spine. Due to coupled motion, lateral bending is corrected as well.To deliver the appropriate torque, the system is pre-stressed before fixing to only three vertebrae.
To test the mechanical strength and performance, the XS-TOR was anchored to three metal vertebrae containing 6D-force sensors, after which several spinal configurations were simulated and the reaction forces/moments were recorded. Animal experiments were performed with an inverse version of the implant that induces scoliosis instead of correcting it, since animals do not have scoliosis.
The XS-TOR generated a correction torque that remains constant during growth and correction, due to a special design. The increase in spinal stiffness is very limited, only 0.01-0.03 Nm/° in bending and 0.04-0.08 Nm/° in torsion. All animal experiments ended successfully. Scoliosis was induced, spinal growth was not inhibited and fusion of the spine prevented.
The XS-TOR is able to create scoliosis, both torsion and lateral bending, is able to allow spinal motion and growth and does not induce vertebral fusion. We expect that the system behaves as intended in scoliosis correction. This means that a new way of treating scoliosis is possible, starting already during growth when scoliosis is less severe and ending after growth by removing the system.
Biography
Bart (GJ) Verkerke completed his PhD-study in December 1989. Since 1990 he works at the University of Groningen/University Medical Center Groningen, since 2004 as professor in BioMedical Product Development and part-time professor at the University of Twente. He is coordinator of the Groningen Biomedical Engineering curriculum. Since 2011 he is Technical Scientific director of the Center of Research Excellence SPRINT, focusing on restoring or increasing the mobility of elderly. Since 2015 he is president of ESEM (Educating Students in Engineering and Medicine). He has published over 160 scientific publications, holds 12 patents, and serves the Editorial board of four reputed journals.
Presenting author details
Full name: Prof. Bart Verkerke
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