Project Overview

In some cases of spine surgery the intervertebral disc is removed and the vertebral bodies are distracted 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 that conforms to the cavity and occupies minimal space while maintaining a high contact surface area with the vertebrae.

Team Picture

Files

• Final Poster (May 2, 2014)
• Final Paper (February 28, 2017)
• PDS Vertebral Distractor (February 16, 2014)
• Midsemester Presentation (February 26, 2014)
• Midsemester Journal Article (February 26, 2014)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Taylor Lamberty - Team Leader
• Catharine Moran - Communicator
• Douglas Ciha - BSAC
• Myranda Schmitt - BWIG & BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Dr. Willis Tompkins - 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