Exploratory Study of 3D Printed Biodegradable Cervical Interbody Fusion Cage

3D Printed Biodegradable Cervical Interbody Fusion Cage in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion，a Small Sample and Exploratory Research

A small sample, single center, non-randomized, noninferiority clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 3D printed biodegradable cervical interbody fusion cage in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treating patients with a symptomatic degenerative cervical disc disease at one level from C2/C4 to C7/T1.

The study will evaluate if 3D printed biodegradable cervical interbody fusion cage is non-inferior to poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cage in single-level ACDF with the use of local autologous bone. 3D printed biodegradable cervical interbody fusion cage is a restorable cervical interbody cage for the treatment of fusion, following discectomy, of the cervical spine from C2/C4 disc space to the C7/T1 disc space. The material used to prepare the implant is a mixture of polycaprolactone (PCL) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), which is called PCL-TCP. The implant has proper strength and connective porosity. The PCL-TCP cage is intended to be used with a supplemental fixation system.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Skeletally mature patients aged between 25 and 85 years (inclusive);
2. Symptomatic cervical disc disease (SCDD) in the vertebral level between C2/C3 to C7/T1, correlated with radiculopathy or myelopathy;
3. Radiographic confirmation (by CT, MRI, x-ray, etc.) of any of the following: herniated nucleus pulposus, spondylosis or loss of disc height;
4. Requires only one cervical vertebral level to be surgically treated;
5. Failed at least 12 weeks of conservative treatment;
6. Patient must understand and sign the Informed Consent document that has been approved by the Ethics committee;
7. No significant restrictions showed by the pre-surgical routine test and examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Skeletally immature patients;
2. Prior radiation history at anterior cervical area;
3. Prior surgery at the level to be treated;
4. More than one vertebral level requiring treatment, confirmed radiologically by X-ray, CT, or MRI
5. Complication of ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament;
6. Clinically compromised vertebral bodies at the affected level(s) due to trauma or tuberculosis
7. Severe osteoporosis;
8. Active systemic or local infection;
9. Participation in other investigational device or drug clinical trials within 3 months of surgery;
10. Other patients whom the investigator believe not appropriate.