Background A large amount of biomechanical and clinical evidence from previous studies suggest the efficiency of the two different posterior lumber non-fusion methods,interspinous distraction device （ISDD） and facet screw fixation system （FSS）,but the biomechanical comparison of ISDD and FSS has not been thoroughly clarified.Methods In the current study,finite element methods were used to investigate the biomechanical comparison of ISDD and FSS.The range of motion （ROM）,intradiscal pressure （IDP） and the protective effects gained by maintaining disc heights were evaluated.Results The ROM was similar between the two non-fusion methods under static standing,flexion and lateral bending.The FSS appeared to be more effective in resisting extension.At the implanted level L3/4,FSS displayed better results for maintaining and increasing posterior disc heights.At the L4/5 level in extension and lateral bending,FSS was better than ISDD,with comparable results observed in other motions.Comparing the posterior and lateral disc heights,FSS appeared to be more effective than ISDD.FSS also had a minor effect on the inferior adjacent segment than ISDD.FSS was more effective in reducing IDP than ISDD in extension.Conclusion Through the finite element analysis study,it can be seen that FSS demonstrates more beneficial biomechanical outcomes than does ISDD,such as being more effective in resisting extension,maintaining and increasing lumbar disc heights and reducing the inferior adjacent IDP in extension.
Wang HongweiWang XiaohongChen WenchuanZhao FuqiangXiang LiangbiZhou YueCheng Chengkung
Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn, abbreviated as Ti2448 from its chemical composition in weight percent, is a multifunctional /3 type titanium alloy with body centered cubic （bcc） crystal structure, and its highly localized plastic deformation behavior contributes significantly to grain refinement during conventional cold processing. In the paper, the nanostructured （NS） alloy with grain size less than 50 nm produced by cold rolling has been used to investigate its superplastic deformation behavior by uniaxial tensile tests at initial strain rates of 1.5 ×10-2, 1.5×10^-3 and 1.6×10-4 s-1 and temperatures of 600,650 and 700℃. The results show that, in comparison with the coarse-grained alloy with size of 50 μm, the NS alloy has better superplasticity with elongation up to ～275% and ultimate strength of 50-100 MPa. Strain rate sensitivity （m） of the NS alloy is 0.21, 0.30 and 0.29 for 600,650 and 700℃, respectively. These results demonstrate that grain refinement is a valid way to enhance the superplasticity of Ti2448 alloy.
