Objective: A patient-specific finite element model of the spine is being developed to aid the surgeon in the diagnosis and clinical management of spinal conditions¹. To validate the application of the computer model, a laboratory validation spine is being developed. This study is concerned with the development and basic characteristics of the intervertebral disc component of the laboratory spine.

Method: The external profile of the laboratory disc was determined from CT images of a cadaveric spine. A two-part silicon rubber was used to form the annulus part of the disc. Prior to sealing it was possible to fill the cavity with an appropriate medium (such as grease or oil) to represent the nucleus pulposus with the further option of applying external pressurisation through a small pressure inlet in the wall of the disc. The laboratory disc was then tested in denucleated form, and grease-filled with initial intradiscal pressures of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 MPa. A finite element model of the disc was also developed and used to investigate the characteristics of the laboratory disc.

Results: The agreement between the finite element results and experimental test results was excellent and the compressive and flexural load-deflection characteristics of both intact and denucleated laboratory discs were found to lie within the range of values reported in the literature for cadaveric discs. Disc bulge characteristics of the intact and denucleated silicon discs were also similar to that observed with natural discs in vitro.

Conclusions: An artificial disc for a laboratory validation spine has been developed and shown to have representative characteristic properties in compression loading. The disc is now being modelled and tested in torsion.