Exploration of the influence of different biomimetic designs of 3D printed multi-material artificial spinal disc on the natural mechanics restoration

One of the great challenges artificial spinal disc (ASD) design lies in reproduction complex mechanics an intervertebral (IVD) that is characterized by a viscoelastic, nonlinear, and anisotropic behavior. Although development multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) combined with biomimetic provide new opportunities for realization ASDs behavior, influence different designs on kinematics ASD conjunction AM not yet explored. Therefore, this study proposes fabricates four types biomimetic, based mimicking either material stiffness gradient or structure found natural IVD. The results show all exhibit desired viscoelastic while chainmail-like exhibits nature-mimicking nonlinear rotational load response. In terms restoring trend IVD’s mimics IVD outperforms solely gradient. Additionally, proposed comparable instant helical axis (IHA) center rotation (ICOR) to IVD's regarding their location moving direction.