人工椎間盤接觸面之設計與分析

The optimum shape of artificial disc were studied is this research. The artificial disc constructed of superior and inferior cobalt-chromium-molybdenum endplates with a polyethylene articulating bearing. The analysis of the contact face between the upper endplate and the central core was derived in this research.
According the former research, the artificial disc was similar to the activities of the real vertebral disc but the angle of rotation was restrained completely. So in this research, we design an ellipse contact face between the upper endplate and the central core for the activities of rotation.
Using the finite element analysis for the contact stress, wear and displacement of the contact face between the upper endplate and the central core, we derive an optimum shape for the contact face in three stages. The first stage is the design of the blocking plate of the contact face. The second stage is comparing four kinds of radius of curvature of the contact face. The third stage is comparing two kinds of radius of curvature of the contact face under flexion and rotation.
After analysis, we obtain the optimum shape of the artificial disc and prove the safety of the artificial disc is well for human using. However, only after long-term follow-up of clinical experience with the artificial disc is this research could prove the optimum shape of the artificial disc.