additiVe manufacturInG mechanobIoLogy spinAl fusioN Clinical excellence (VIGILANCE)

Current spinal fusion procedures following back surgery face a challenge in achieving rapid vertebral fusion. While the success rate two years post-operation is high, complete bone ingrowth takes between 6 to 24 months, with delayed cases carrying a higher risk of complications. This project aims to accelerate spinal fusion through an enhanced cage design based on mechanobiological principles. Bone ingrowth-stimulating coatings will be incorporated to improve implant performance and facilitate faster spinal fusion. The research plan involves computer simulations to mechanically characterize current cage designs and explore new ones, guided by mechanobiological principles. These models will be validated through mechanical experiments. Additionally, a bone ingrowth-stimulating coating will be added to the cage, aiming to enhance fusion speed, with evaluation through cell culture studies and testing in an animal model to assess its impact on a healthy spinal column. The potential outcome of improved spinal fusion without autologous transplantation could lead to quicker, bone-harvest-free procedures, reducing the morbidity of a second surgery. Faster osseointegration holds the promise of substantial clinical improvements, quicker return to function, and healthcare cost savings.