102: Kyphoplasty Device

We developed Vertefix through a joint venture between the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Mayo Clinic Convergence Science Internship Program to address issues surrounding kyphoplasty procedures performed at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and in hospitals across the world. Current kyphoplasty procedures repair vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) but often leak cement into the body, hurting patient outcomes. We aimed to produce a device that reduced cement leakage and improved patient quality of life. We designed Vertefix to be inserted into a patient’s vertebrae and expanded to restore normal shape. PMMA bone cement was pumped through the device and hardened inside the vertebrae to solidify the damaged bone.