Design Concepts of Polycarbonate-Based Intervertebral Lumbar Cages: Finite Element Analysis and Compression Testing

Abstract EN

This work explores the viability of 3D printed intervertebral lumbar cages based on biocompatible polycarbonate (PC-ISO® material).

Several design concepts are proposed for the generation of patient-specific intervertebral lumbar cages.

The 3D printed material achieved compressive yield strength of 55 MPa under a specific combination of manufacturing parameters.

The literature recommends a reference load of 4,000 N for design of intervertebral lumbar cages.

Under compression testing conditions, the proposed design concepts withstand between 7,500 and 10,000 N of load before showing yielding.

Although some stress concentration regions were found during analysis, the overall viability of the proposed design concepts was validated.