INTRODUCTION: the idea of an artificial intervertebral disc is not new. The studies of spinal arthroplasty prostheses are in developing, while new materials and technologies are developed to suply medical engineering projects. OBJECTIVE: to establish a methodology for product development on a project of prosthesis for total disc replacement, trough the use of computacional engineering tools. METHODS: the methodology of prosthesis development began with the definition of their virtual model, followed by the virtual mechanical analysis by finite element. RESULTS: the prosthesis is designed with three components: the top flange, bottom flange and the core. Applying the von Mises criterion for the virtual analysis solution, it was found that the core of the prosthesis is the most stressed component during axial compression and compression/shear. CONCLUSION: this study demonstrated that the development of a total disc replacement prosthesis is viable through computational methods already known in mechanical engineering projects, mainly in automotive and aeronautics.
Lumbar spine; Arthroplasty; Prosthesis design; Intervertebral disc; Computer aided design
