• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.1298-1301
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• 2003

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of pre-load and fatigue life of the distracted one-level pedicle screw system. A spring, which acted as a substitute of the ligament, was installed in the one-level pedicle screw system before testing. The static and fatigue properties are now being tested, which includes 6mm rod to 6mm screw, 6mm rod to 6.5mm screw and 6.35mm rod to 6.5mm screw, under pre-load. Until now as test data were analyzed, 6mm rod to 6.5mm screw was found to have the best performances of stillness and fatigue lift, while 6mm rod to 6mm screw showed the shortest fatigue life. If the stiffness of screw was bigger than that of rod. the fatigue life was prolonged. The fatigue life of the distracted pedicle screw was proved to be shorter than that of the one-level pedicle screw system. So the fatigue life was shortened because of the effect of the spring on the flexibility and stiffness of the rod. In order to obtain the stability of the pedicle screw, more tests are under doing on this topic.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Objective : In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels. Methods : Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels. Seventeen patients had tumorous conditions and two with post-laminectomy kyphosis. The anatomical features were analyzed for C7 and T1 pedicles in 19 patients using computerized tomography (CT). Pedicle screw and rod fixation system was used in 16 patients. Pedicle violation by screws was evaluated with postoperative CT scan. Results : The mean values of the width, height, stable depth, safety angle, transverse angle, and sagittal angle of C7 pedicles were $6.9{\pm}1.34\;mm$, $8.23{\pm}1.18\;mm$, $30.93{\pm}4.65\;mm$, $26.42{\pm}7.91$ degrees, $25.9{\pm}4.83$ degrees, and $10.6{\pm}3.39$ degrees. At T1 pedicles, anatomic parameters were similar to those of C7. The pedicle violation revealed that 64.1% showed grade I violation and 35.9% showed grade II violation, overall. As for C7 pedicle screw insertion, grade I was 61.5% and grade II 38.5%. At T1 level, grade I was 65.0% and grade II 35.0%. There was no significant difference in violation rate between the whole group, C7, and T1 group. Conclusion : C7 pedicles can withstand pedicle screw insertion. C7 pedicle and T1 pedicle are anatomically very similar. With the use of adequate fluoroscopic oblique view, pedicle screw can be safely inserted at C7 and T1 levels.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.134-139
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• 2018

One of the most common problems with pedicle screw system is pullout of the screw. This study was performed to evaluate the pullout strength and driving torque of newly designed pedicle screws. The design of three type screws were standard pedicle screw, which had single lead threaded and single pitched design (Type A), single pitched and dual lead threaded pedicle screw (Type B), dual pitched and dual lead threaded pedicle screw (Type C), respectively. The tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM standards using polyurethane (PU) foam blocks. There was no significant difference in pullout strength among three types of screw. Type B and Type C exhibited higher insertion torque and removal torque than Type A, respectively (p<0.05). Pedicle screws newly developed with dual pitched and dual lead threaded design showed higher driving torque without decrease in pullout strength compared to the standard pedicle screw and could be inserted more rapidly with the same number of revolutions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2012

Objective : To investigate the feasibility of C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities. Methods : After posterior atlantoaxial fixation with lateral mass screw in the atlas and pedicle screw in the axis, we used 2 miniplates to fixate interlaminar iliac bone graft instead of sublaminar wiring. We performed this procedure in thirteen patients who had atlantoaxial instabilities and retrospectively evaluated the bone fusion rate and complications. Results : By using this method, we have achieved excellent bone fusion comparing with the result of other methods without any complications related to this procedure. Conclusion : C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion may be an efficient alternative method to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2014

Objective : Two-dimensional fluoroscopy-based computerized navigation for the placement of pedicle screws offers the advantage of using stored patient-specific imaging data in providing real-time guidance during screw placement. The study aimed to describe the accuracy and reliability of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system for pedicle screw insertion. Methods : A total of 477 pedicle screws were inserted in the lower back of 96 consecutive patients between October 2007 and June 2012 using fluoroscopy-based computer-assisted surgery. The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated using a sophisticated computed tomography protocol. Results : Of the 477 pedicle screws, 461 (96.7%) were judged to be inserted correctly. Frank screw misplacement [16 screws (3.3%)] was observed in 15 patients. Of these, 8 were classified as minimally misplaced (${\leq}2mm$); 3, as moderately misplaced (2.1-4 mm); and 5, as severely misplaced (>4 mm). No complications, including nerve root injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or internal organ injury, were observed in any of the patients. Conclusion : The accuracy of pedicle screw placement using a fluoroscopy-based computer navigation system was observed to be superior to that obtained with conventional techniques.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.375-380
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to verify the relations with the fatigue life and stress distribution on the screw thread for thoracic and lumbar spine. These screws are now developed for Korean in this research group. The fatigue life of single screw was found longer than that of up-left-screw, but shorter than that of up-right-screw. The fatigue life of screw used was associated with the angie between bending and thread direction. In the case of upper left and right screw were fractured in the region of one pitch and two pitch of the thread valley from the shank of pedicle screw, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2016

Objective : To investigate the biomechanical effects of a newly proposed Interspinous Process Compressor (IPC) and compare with pedicle screw fixation at surgical and adjacent levels of lumbar spine. Methods : A three dimensional finite element model of intact lumbar spine was constructed and two spinal fusion models using pedicle screw fixation system and a new type of interspinous devices, IPC, were developed. The biomechanical effects such as range of motion (ROM) and facet contact force were analyzed at surgical level (L3/4) and adjacent levels (L2/3, L4/5). In addition, the stress in adjacent intervertebral discs (D2, D4) was investigated. Results : The entire results show biomechanical parameters such as ROM, facet contact force, and stress in adjacent intervertebral discs were similar between PLIF and IPC models in all motions based on the assumption that the implants were perfectly fused with the spine. Conclusion : The newly proposed fusion device, IPC, had similar fusion effect at surgical level, and biomechanical effects at adjacent levels were also similar with those of pedicle screw fixation system. However, for clinical applications, real fusion effect between spinous process and hooks, duration of fusion, and influence on spinous process need to be investigated through clinical study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.317-321
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• 2009

Objective : In the thoracic spine, insertion of a pedicle screw is annoying due to small pedicle size and wide morphological variation between different levels of the spine and between individuals. The aim of our study was to analyze radiologic parameters of the pedicle morphometry from T1 to T8 using computed tomographic myelography (CTM) in Korean population. Methods : For evaluation of the thoracic pedicle morphometry, the authors prospectively analyzed a consecutive series of 26 patients with stable thoracic spines. With the consent of patients, thoracic CTM were performed, from T1 to T8. We calculated the transverse outer diameters and the transverse angles of the pedicle, distance from the cord to the inner cortical wall of the pedicle, and distance from the cord to the dura. Results : Transverse outer pedicle diameter was widest at T1 ($7.66{\pm}2.14\;mm$) and narrowest at T4 ($4.38{\pm}1.55\;mm$). Transverse pedicle angle was widest at T1 ($30.2{\pm}12.0^{\circ}$ and it became less than $9.0^{\circ}$ below T6 level. Theoretical safety zone of the medial perforation of the pedicle screw, namely, distance from the cord to inner cortical wall of the pedicle was more than 4.5 mm. Conclusion : Based on this study, we suggest that the current pedicle screw system is not always suitable for Korean patients. Computed tomography is required before performing a transpedicular screw fixation at the thoracic levels.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1775-1780
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• 2011

In this paper, it is analyzed about the mechanical characteristics of pedicle screw system which is a artificial implant for surgery to treatment serious lumbar vertebra diseases. The disk of lumbar vertebra to be fixed by pedicle screw system shows regressive phenomena. But if flexible rod, to give a flexibility(under 6 degree) to fixable disk is applied, it can protect against the degeneration of disk. This research is carried out a mechanical characteristic of pedicle screw system used flexible rod through finite elements analysis, and then flexible rod system was verified about safe movement through compression, tension and torsion test which is the pedicle screw system official recognition test(ASTM F 1717).

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.559-566
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• 2000

Methodology for finite element analysis of vertebral column and pedicle screw system, which circumvents the tremendous difficulties in geometric, material, and structural modeling, is proposed. The simplification is focused on the modeling of the cancellous bone in vertebral body the intervertebral disc. and the instrumented internal fixation devices. Each proposed modeling technique is justified to result in reasonable accuracy. These methods are believed to be suitable for the development of pedicle screw systems, not only because modeling itself is much simpler. but also because reliable empirical data for disc stiffness may be incorporated with little additional effort, and presumably frequent design change may be easily reflected on the analysis.