Assessment of Compressive Strength of Flexible Composite Materials for Spinal Implantation

This research investigates the ultimate compressive strength of various flexible composite materials. The materials were investigated for replacement of the intervertebral disc, the cartilage in the spine between the vertebrate. Four prototype designs were considered. The laminated and the unidirectional composites were strength sensitive to the wet, simulated physiological environment. These two prototypes failed in shear by debonding between the fiber and matrix. Two braided designs maintained most of their compressive strength in the simulated physiological environment, and their strength was shown to be independent of the presence of an interfacial bond between the braided fibers and the elastomeric matrix.