Project Overview

In some cases of spine surgery the intervertebral disc is removed and the vertebral bodies are distraction to help with alignment of the spine. This is often done with metal spatula shaped tools or with mechanical jacks. Both of these tools have two problems. One, they have a narrow surface area so they can easily fracture the bone with the distractive forces. Two, they work along a linear trajectory so they cannot be manipulated easily to different regions of the intervertebral space to allow working space for graft placement. The goal of this project would be to develop an inflatable vertebral body distractor.

Team Picture

Files

• Vertebral Distractor - PDS (December 8, 2015)
• Vertebral Distractor - Mid Semester Report (December 8, 2015)
• BME Design - Vertebral Distractor - preliminary presentation (October 2, 2015)
• Final Poster - Inflatable Distractor (December 12, 2015)
• Final Report - Inflatable Distractor (December 9, 2015)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Joshua Plantz - Team Leader
• Joaquin Herrera - Communicator
• Herman Feller - BSAC
• Ellis Cohen - BWIG & BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Mitchell Tyler - Advisor
• Dr. Nathaniel Brooks - Client

Related Projects

• Spring 2016: Inflatable vertebral body distractor
• Fall 2015: Inflatable vertebral body distractor
• Fall 2014: Inflatable vertebral body distractor
• Spring 2014: Inflatable vertebral body distractor
• Fall 2013: Inflatable vertebral body distractor