Artificial Bones for Cement Augmentation

For different cement augmentation techniques we have developed artificial bones with differentiated cortical and cancellous bone structure respectively. As a unique property of the developed materials an open-cell structure permits balloon dilatation as well as direct injection of bone cement in combination with realistic haptic feedback (see figure below: left – artificial vertebra, right – fluoroscopy of augmented vertebra).

left: artificial vertebra, right: fluoroscopy (courtsey of Prof. Fellner, General Hospital Linz - AKH)
left: artificial vertebra, right: fluoroscopy of augmented vertebra (courtesy of Prof. Fellner, Central Institute of Radiology – General Hospital Linz) with vertebroplasty as well as pedicle screw augmentation.