3D printing of implantable vertebral segment
An implantable vertebral segment for replacing a damaged vertebral segment in a patient. The implantable vertebral segment includes a vertebral bone member and a vertebral disc member. The vertebral bone member includes an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is configured to be coupled to the inner portion through a fastening mechanism, wherein the outer portion and the inner portion form a tunnel configured to receive a spinal cord. Also, the vertebral bone member and the vertebral disc member include an interlocking mechanism for coupling the vertebral bone member and the vertebral disc member.
1 . A method for correcting spinal defects in a patient, the method comprising:
imaging a spine of the patient to generate a model specific to the patient; and
3D printing an implantable vertebral segment based on the model, wherein the implantable vertebral segment comprises:
a vertebral bone member comprising:
an outer unit, and
an inner unit,
wherein the outer unit is configured to be coupled to the inner unit through a fastening mechanism, the outer unit and the inner unit together forming a tunnel configured to receive a spinal cord, and the fastening mechanism comprising a plug and socket that interlock to secure the outer unit with the inner unit;
a vertebral disc member, wherein the vertebral disc member comprises a central disc portion, an upper triangular protrusion extending vertically from a central top area of the central disc portion, and a lower triangular protrusion extending vertically from a central bottom area of the central disc portion;
wherein the vertebral bone member comprises a first vertebral bone member and a second vertebral bone member, wherein the vertebral disc member is physically positioned between and mechanically interlocked with the first vertebral bone member and the second vertebral bone member; and
implanting the implantable vertebral segment at a location of a damaged vertebral bone and an adjacent vertebral disc, wherein the implantable vertebral segment is biocompatible and anatomically similar to the vertebral bone and disc before damage.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vertebral bone member is made of titanium.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the vertebral disc member is made of a biocompatible hard rubber substance.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vertebral bone member and the vertebral disc member comprise complementary interlocking features configured to mechanically couple the vertebral bone member and the vertebral disc member.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a lumbar vertebral portion of the patient is replaced with the implantable vertebral segment.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implantable vertebral segment further comprises a capping vertebral disc member configured to cap an outer end of one of the first vertebral bone member or the second vertebral bone member.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the upper triangular protrusion and the lower triangular protrusion is configured to fit into a respective triangular groove formed in the inner units of the first vertebral bone member and the second vertebral bone member.
8 . A method for correcting spinal defects in a patient, the method comprising:
imaging a spine of the patient to generate a model specific to the patient; and
3D printing an implantable vertebral segment based on the model, wherein the implantable vertebral segment comprises:
a vertebral bone member comprising:
an outer unit, and
an inner unit,
wherein the outer unit is configured to be coupled to the inner unit through a fastening mechanism, the outer unit and the inner unit together forming a tunnel configured to receive a spinal cord, and the fastening mechanism comprising a plug and socket that interlock to secure the outer unit with the inner unit;
a vertebral disc member;
wherein the vertebral bone member comprises a first vertebral bone member and a second vertebral bone member and a second vertebral bone member, wherein the vertebral disc member is physically positioned between and mechanically interlocked with the first vertebral bone member and the second vertebral bone member; and
a capping vertebral disc member configured to cap an outer end of one of the first vertebral bone member or the second vertebral bone member, the capping vertebral disc member comprising a central disc portion and an upper triangular protrusion extending vertically from a central top area of the central disc portion; and
implanting the implantable vertebral segment at a location of a damaged vertebral bone and an adjacent vertebral disc, wherein the implantable vertebral segment is biocompatible and anatomically similar to the vertebral bone and disc before damage.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the upper triangular protrusion is configured to fit into a triangular groove formed in the inner unit of the first vertebral bone member or the second vertebral bone member.