Fatigue Crack Propagation of Sliding Core in Artificial Intervertebral Disc due to the Fatigue Loading Mode

인공추간판의 피로하중 모드에 따른 슬라이딩 코어의 피로균열전파 거동

Today, the Artificial Intervertebral Disc (AID) is being developed by increasing the oblique of the endplate gradually. In other words, Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) which is apply to the sliding core of the AID, does not change the shape but alters the oblique of endplate. However, the unreasonable increase of degree of freedom (DOF) can result in the aggravation of the bone fusion and the initial stability and it can also lead to the increase of the concentrated force in core. For these reasons, it is necessary to develop the advanced techniques, which choose the most adequate DOF. In this study, the new optimized modeling of the sliding core and the endplate, the fatigue characteristics, the crack propagation and the formation mechanism of wearing debris was studied and the minimizing technique will be derived from this research.