SPbPU: Computer program for designing spinal implants

The main articles are:

• CAD Computer-aided design systems
• Bone implantation

2023: Computer Program Announcement for Spinal Implant Design

The scientific group of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Peter the Great received a patent for a computer program with which you can create a spinal implant. Thanks to the digital model, scientists were able to calculate physical indicators, for example, the elastic modulus of the finished product, which is close to natural values. Model implant using selective laser melting was made in a university laboratory from Russian-made titanium powder. This was announced on March 23, 2023 by representatives of SPBPU.

Intervertebral implant. Source: SPbPU.

According to the company, the scientific group is headed by Anatoly Popovich, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPBPU. The main difficulty in creating modern implants is the design of a product with a high degree of engraftment in the body human. Therefore, for the Polytech intervertebral implant with an irregular mesh design, a titanium VT1-0 alloy with biocompatibility with human bone tissues was chosen. However, the ability of the titanium alloy to resist stretching or compression is tens of times higher than that of human bones.

So that in the future this does not lead to the destruction of healthy bone at the point of contact with the implant, we create it with a mesh structure. It will also contribute to the successful osteointegration of the prosthesis, that is, the ingrowth of bone tissue into the implant. noted Maxim Maksimov, one of the authors of the patent, leading researcher at the Laboratory "Synthesis of New Materials and Structures" of the Center for the National Technological Initiative "New Production Technologies" of SPBPU

Intervertebral implant. Source: SPbPU.

Employees of the Laboratory "Synthesis of New Materials and Structures" of the Center for the National Technological Initiative "New Production Technologies" together with colleagues from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport conducted a large-scale study and studied the mechanical properties of the future implant. To do this, scientists created its 3D model and conducted virtual tests. First, the geometry of the outer contour of the future implant was designed, then the scientists began to study the physical properties of the product depending on the type and size of the cells of the mesh structure. In as a result, a structure was created, the number of elements of which exceeded 500 thousand. All together this provides close to the natural characteristics of the implant, which will allow it to integrate into the patient's spine and not cause him discomfort in the future.

As a result of our work, we have created a program with which we can produce implants using selective laser melting technology. There are similar installations at the Polytechnic University. Since both software and powder for printing are domestically produced, this is an important step towards technological sovereignty. In the future, after conducting all the necessary clinical trials, any clinic will be able to print implants using our program. noted Alexey Orlov, one of the authors of the patent, researcher at the Laboratory "Synthesis of New Materials and Structures" of the Center for the National Technological Initiative "New Production Technologies" of SPBPU

Serious interdisciplinary competencies of scientists of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic allow you to create objects using modern technologies: physicists, mechanics, materials scientists and many other scientists from various fields took part in the work on the spinal implant.