Introduction: Interbody fusion devices are customarily used in fusion of the anterior spinal column for treatment of degenerative disc disease. Their traditional role is to reestablish and maintain intervertebral disc height, contain bone graft and provide mechanical support for the spine while osseointegration takes place. Utilizing the principles of mechanobiology, a unique biokinetic interbody fusion device has been developed that employs an advanced structural design to facilitate and actively participate in the fusion consolidation process.Areas covered: This article profiles and characterizes 4WEB Medical's Truss Implant Technology™ which includes a range of 3D-printed titanium spinal interbody implants and non-spinal implants whose design is based on truss structures enabled by advances in additive manufacturing. Four main areas of the implant design and functionality are detailed: bio-architecture, mechanobiologic underpinnings, bioactive surface features, and subsidence resistance. Pre-clinical and clinical examples are provided to describe and specify the bioactive roles and contributions of each design feature.Expert opinion: The distinct and unique combination of features incorporated within the truss cage design results in a biokinetic implant that actively participates in the bone healing cascade and fusion process.
Keywords: Disc degeneration; interbody spinal fusion; mechanobiology; osseointegration; surface topography; titanium; topology; truss.