Towards biomimetic evolution of artificial intervertebral disc: a review.

Abstract

In lumbar total disc replacement, artificial disc implants are utilized to cure degenerative disc disease and restore natural motion. Human intervertebral discs (IVD) are part of the spine and contribute to delivering six degrees of freedom, elastic deformation, and shock absorption and act differently under different load conditions. Despite advancements in spinal fixation systems and IVD replacement techniques, achieving long-term segmental stability while preserving physiological motion remains a significant challenge. To overcome this issue, the proposed work aims to identify the biomechanics of artificial IVD implants through rigorous analysis. The ultimate goal is to provide the information to explore the design and develop novel implants that seamlessly integrate with the spine, restoring natural spine function and providing long-term, sustainable load-bearing properties, mimicking the resilience and longevity of the natural IVD. To address all these issues, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, organizing findings based on body structure, associated diseases, biomechanics, and various IVD development models. The present endeavour involves a critical analysis with the aim of facilitating the input to the design and development of novel IVD implants in the future.