Output details
15 - General Engineering
University of Glasgow
A multi-component fiber-reinforced PHEMA-based hydrogel/HAPEX™ device for customized intervertebral disc prosthesis
First description of an artificial intervertebral disc where the components are manufactured from composite materials developed specifically to duplicate the mechanical behaviour of the natural tissues they are replacing. A bone analogue is used for the vertebral end plates and a fibre reinforced hydrogel for the disc. Reduced implant loosening is achieved compared to metallic implants. This work was funded by the EU FP6 "DISC" project and has led to further FP7 funding (2008-2013, DISC REGENERATION-NMP3-LA-2008-213904 €9,422,854 contact direttore.dpm@cnr.it). The design has been patented - Italian Patent Application TO2005A000480.