Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach
Background/Objectives: The conventional practice in clinical settings involves using multi-use surgical instrumentation (SI). However, there is a growing trend towards transforming these multi-use SIs into disposable surgical instruments, driven by economic and environmental considerations without c...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Biomechanics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7078/5/2/26 |
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| author | Luca Ciriello Tomaso Villa |
| author_facet | Luca Ciriello Tomaso Villa |
| author_sort | Luca Ciriello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: The conventional practice in clinical settings involves using multi-use surgical instrumentation (SI). However, there is a growing trend towards transforming these multi-use SIs into disposable surgical instruments, driven by economic and environmental considerations without considering the biomechanical aspects. This study focuses on redesigning an SI kit for implanting cervical spinal facet cages. Understanding the boundary conditions (forces, torques, and bending moments) acting on the SI during surgery is crucial for optimizing its design and materials. Therefore, this study aims to develop a measurement system (MS) to record these loads during implantation and validate it through in vitro testing. Methods: A combined numerical–experimental approach was used to design and calibrate the MS. Finite element analysis (FE) was used to optimize the geometry of the sensitive element of the MS. This was followed by the manufacturing phase using 3D printing and then by calibration tests to determine the stiffness of the system. Finally, the MS was used to measure the boundary conditions applied during SI use during in vitro tests on a cervical Sawbone spine. Results: After designing the measurement system (MS) via finite element analysis, calibration tests determined stiffness values of K<sub>F</sub> = 1.2385 N/(µm/m) (axial compression), K<sub>T</sub> = −0.0015 Nm/(µm/m) (torque), and K<sub>B</sub> = 0.0242 Nm/(µm/m) (non-axial force). In vitro tests identified maximum loads of 40.84 N (compression) and 0.11 Nm (torque). Conclusions: This study developed a measurement system to assess surgical implant boundary conditions. The data will support finite element modeling, guiding the optimization of implant design and materials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1f13a697e7cd461c83679f6bb2d3d1d8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-7078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biomechanics |
| spelling | doaj-art-1f13a697e7cd461c83679f6bb2d3d1d82025-08-20T03:32:28ZengMDPI AGBiomechanics2673-70782025-04-01522610.3390/biomechanics5020026Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental ApproachLuca Ciriello0Tomaso Villa1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”-LaBS, 20133 Politecnico di Milano, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”-LaBS, 20133 Politecnico di Milano, ItalyBackground/Objectives: The conventional practice in clinical settings involves using multi-use surgical instrumentation (SI). However, there is a growing trend towards transforming these multi-use SIs into disposable surgical instruments, driven by economic and environmental considerations without considering the biomechanical aspects. This study focuses on redesigning an SI kit for implanting cervical spinal facet cages. Understanding the boundary conditions (forces, torques, and bending moments) acting on the SI during surgery is crucial for optimizing its design and materials. Therefore, this study aims to develop a measurement system (MS) to record these loads during implantation and validate it through in vitro testing. Methods: A combined numerical–experimental approach was used to design and calibrate the MS. Finite element analysis (FE) was used to optimize the geometry of the sensitive element of the MS. This was followed by the manufacturing phase using 3D printing and then by calibration tests to determine the stiffness of the system. Finally, the MS was used to measure the boundary conditions applied during SI use during in vitro tests on a cervical Sawbone spine. Results: After designing the measurement system (MS) via finite element analysis, calibration tests determined stiffness values of K<sub>F</sub> = 1.2385 N/(µm/m) (axial compression), K<sub>T</sub> = −0.0015 Nm/(µm/m) (torque), and K<sub>B</sub> = 0.0242 Nm/(µm/m) (non-axial force). In vitro tests identified maximum loads of 40.84 N (compression) and 0.11 Nm (torque). Conclusions: This study developed a measurement system to assess surgical implant boundary conditions. The data will support finite element modeling, guiding the optimization of implant design and materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7078/5/2/26single-use surgical instrumentcervical spinein vitro test |
| spellingShingle | Luca Ciriello Tomaso Villa Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach Biomechanics single-use surgical instrument cervical spine in vitro test |
| title | Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach |
| title_full | Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach |
| title_fullStr | Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach |
| title_short | Biomechanical Evaluation of a Spinal Surgical Instrument: A Numerical–Experimental Approach |
| title_sort | biomechanical evaluation of a spinal surgical instrument a numerical experimental approach |
| topic | single-use surgical instrument cervical spine in vitro test |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7078/5/2/26 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lucaciriello biomechanicalevaluationofaspinalsurgicalinstrumentanumericalexperimentalapproach AT tomasovilla biomechanicalevaluationofaspinalsurgicalinstrumentanumericalexperimentalapproach |