Development of a Spinal Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis

Summary

Principal Investigator: Glenn Robin Buttermann
Affiliation: University of Minnesota
Country: USA
Abstract: Chronic back pain is a common disability in which spinal fusion surgery is sometimes beneficial. Far more functional outcomes would be obtained with a successful intervertebral disc prosthesis If commercialized world-wide, it has been estimated that disc prostheses would be implanted at a rate of one million per year, after five years of marketing with potential sales of two billion dollars. This SBIR Phase I project will perform research to develop a spinal device that will restore function of the spine and relieve back pain for patients with intervertebral disc degeneration. Dynamic Spine is pursuing the development of an intervertebral disc replacement. Historically, severe knee and hip degeneration were treated with fusion of the joint which decreased pain but eliminated motion. Currently, hip and knee fusion have almost been entirely eliminated due to the enormous success of prosthetic hip and knee replacements. For back pain due to disc degeneration that has not responded to nonoperative treatment, spinal fusion is recommended. Spinal fusion improves pain but limits motion and hence function, and also increases stress on neighboring discs which over time predisposes to additional disc degeneration. A successful disc replacement is not yet available. Dynamic Spine is developing a prototype disc replacement which is unique from others currently in development and has characteristics which should overcome deficiencies of other disc prototypes. A US patent has been obtained and international patents are pending. The objective of Phase I is to demonstrate that the device restores normal spine biomechanics (range of motion and stiffness) and is durable in fatigue testing.
Funding Period: 2003-07-01 - 2004-12-31
more information: NIH RePORT

Top Publications

  1. ncbi Mature runt cow lumbar intradiscal pressures and motion segment biomechanics
    Glenn Robin Buttermann
    Midwest Spine Institute, Spine Surgery Division, Stillwater, MN 55115, USA
    Spine J 9:105-14. 2009
  2. ncbi Biomechanical characterization of an annulus-sparing spinal disc prosthesis
    Glenn R Buttermann
    Midwest Spine Institute, Spine Surgery Division, 1950 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA
    Spine J 9:744-53. 2009

Scientific Experts

Detail Information

Publications2

  1. ncbi Mature runt cow lumbar intradiscal pressures and motion segment biomechanics
    Glenn Robin Buttermann
    Midwest Spine Institute, Spine Surgery Division, Stillwater, MN 55115, USA
    Spine J 9:105-14. 2009
    ..Mature runt cows (Corrientes breed) may avoid these limitations...
  2. ncbi Biomechanical characterization of an annulus-sparing spinal disc prosthesis
    Glenn R Buttermann
    Midwest Spine Institute, Spine Surgery Division, 1950 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA
    Spine J 9:744-53. 2009
    ..Preliminary studies of a unique annulus-sparing intervertebral prosthetic disc (IPD) found that preservation of the annulus resulted in load sharing of the annulus with the prosthesis...