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Structure vs
Chemistry in 3D Printed Spinal
Implants
ARTICLE BY ROBIN YOUNG
The logical argument goes like this : if fusion is the goal — and many factors can frustrate a spine surgeon in pursuit of that goal , diabetes , smoking , age , comorbidities — then which of these two factors — structure or chemistry — is your osseointegration ace in the hole ?
And how do such innovative designs as , for example , Camber Spine Technologies , LLC ’ s Spira implants , which could never have been produced prior to additive manufacturing techniques , affect osseointegration , support and fusion ?
Better Osseointegration ( Fusion ) Through Chemistry ?
By definition , osseointegration is the connection between living bone and a load-bearing implant . Strong osseointegration means that the implant becomes so fused with the bone , it can ’ t be separated without breaking . Osseointegration is one of the key definitions of stability and long-term spine fusion clinical success .
From experience , surgeons know osseointegration is complex . In the formative years of spine fusion ( 1990s ) more than one early implant developed
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