# Microscopic and Biomechanical Analysis of PEEK Interspinous Spacers for Spinal Fusion Applications

## TL;DR

This paper evaluates PEEK interspinous spacers for spinal fusion using mechanical and microscopic analysis to assess their performance and durability.

## Contribution

The study combines microscopic and biomechanical analysis to evaluate PEEK implants, providing insights into their structural behavior under load.

## Key findings

- The subtractive-manufactured implant shows a significant elastic region change at 1300 N and subsidence at 1500 N.
- Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the chemical composition of the implants.
- Integration of microscopic and mechanical analysis improves implant evaluation for spinal fusion.

## Abstract

Spinal fusion is a surgical intervention used to join two or more vertebrae in the spine. An often-used method involves the placement of intervertebral spacers. They are commonly composed of biocompatible materials like polyetheretherketone. It has strength, longevity, and the capacity to interact harmoniously with the human body. Standardized mechanical tests were performed on two distinct implants to assess their biomechanical characteristics. The studies were conducted at a velocity of 2 mm/min. The stopping criteria were determined based on the loads sustained by the 50th percentile. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the implants was assessed using Raman spectroscopy. The implant created via subtractive manufacturing has a significant change in its elastic region at a force of 1300 N, and it begins subsidence when vertebrae are subjected to a load of 1500 N. The integration of microscopic characterization techniques with the mechanical analysis of prostheses in numerous case studies facilitates the biomechanical evaluation of implants.