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International Journal of Bioprinting Design of SLM-Ta artificial vertebral body

5. Conclusion cartilage, and vertebral bodies. Therefore, finite element
analysis of the biomechanics of the Ta AVB in the human
Novel AVB models were designed through topology spine will be the focus of future research. Furthermore,
optimization, and Ta AVBs were successfully manufactured research on the fatigue performance of Ta AVBs under
using the SLM process. The effects of sidewall curvature on long-term dynamic loading in the human spine is an
the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms important future investigation. The biological properties of
of the Ta AVB were investigated using compression tests Ta artificial vertebra will be verified by in vivo and in vitro
and finite element analysis. The conclusions are as follows.
tests in future studies.
The elastic modulus and yield strength of the Ta lattice
structures ranged from 1.75 to 3.21 GPa and 31 to 65 MPa, Acknowledgments
respectively. With the addition of topologically thin walls, None.
the elastic modulus and yield strength were enhanced by
factors of 2.26–3.77 and 3–3.62, respectively. Topological Funding
thin-walled structures can significantly increase the load-
bearing capacity of the lattice structures. This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation
of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China under grant
As the sidewall curvature decreased, the elastic number 2023D01A86, the Scientific and Technological
modulus and yield strength of the AVB increased. When Research Projects in Key Areas of Xinjiang Production
−1
the sidewall curvature decreased from 0.027 to 0 mm , the and Construction Corps, China under grant number
elastic modulus and yield strength of the Ta AVB increased 2024ABO49, and the Key Research and Development
by factors of 2.76 and 2.19, respectively.
Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
The yield strengths of the Ta AVBs (ranging from 107 under grant number 2023B01016.
to 235 MPa) were similar to those of the human cortical
bone (103–222 MPa). AVB-2 exhibited the highest yield- Conflict of interest
strength-to-elastic-modulus ratio (0.029) compared to The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
that of AVB-1 and AVB-3 (0.024 and 0.019, respectively).
This indicated that the optimal sidewall curvature of Author contributions
the topological thin wall is 0.014 mm . At this sidewall
−1
curvature, the Ta AVB effectively reduced the stress Conceptualization: Yutao Zhang
shielding effect while maximizing the load-bearing Data curation: Jintao Li
function. Therefore, AVB-2 not only fully exerted its load- Investigation: Yutao Zhang, Jintao Li, Yong Huang,
bearing function but also has the potential to promote Xiaohong Dong
osseointegration and reduce the risk of bone absorption Methodology: Wurikaixi Aiyiti
in cervical fusion segments and degenerative diseases in Supervision: Wurikaixi Aiyiti
adjacent segments. Validation: Yutao Zhang
Writing–original draft: Yutao Zhang, Wurikaixi Aiyiti
The deformation modes of the Ta AVB during Writing–review & editing: Wurikaixi Aiyiti
compression determined its stress–strain response. The
deformation modes of AVB-1 and AVB-2 involved the Ethics approval and consent to participate
bending deformation of the topologically thin walls and
lattice structures. In AVB-3, the compressive expansion Not applicable.
effect of the lattice acted as a perturbation source for
topological thin-wall buckling, accelerating its collapse. Consent for publication
Finite element analysis is an effective method for Not applicable.
predicting and evaluating the biomechanical properties
of bone implants in clinical applications. Previous studies Availability of data
have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of using The data supporting the findings of this study are available
the finite element method to evaluate the biomechanical from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
properties of bone implants in human load-bearing sites,
such as the hip joints, pelvis, intervertebral discs, References
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knee joints, and lumbar vertebrae. The strain and stress
66
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distribution on the AVB significantly affect the contacted 1. Shimizu T, Kato S, Yokogawa N, et al. Total en bloc
vertebrae and adjacent intervertebral discs, articular spondylectomy for primary tumors of the thoracic
Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 184 doi: 10.36922/IJB025150133