PhD & Postdoc

Jana Šimková

Additive Manufacturing for Medical Devices · Brno University of Technology

Jana Šimková uses selective laser sintering of Ti-6Al-4V powder to manufacture patient-specific interbody spinal fusion cages whose internal lattice geometry is topology-optimised to match local stiffness to the adjacent vertebral bone — eliminating the stress shielding that causes subsidence with conventional off-the-shelf PEEK cages. At Brno University of Technology's Institute of Manufacturing Technology, supervised by Prof. Zdeněk Dvořák, she reconstructs the patient's CT scan in Materialise Mimics, derives the surgical geometry, and uses nTopology software to generate gradient-density lattice architectures that tune the effective stiffness from 3 GPa at the endplate contact faces to 0.8 GPa in the lattice core — closely matching trabecular bone's 0.5–1.0 GPa target range. SLS parameter qualification experiments across 48 build strategies have established the optimal laser power–speed window that achieves ≥99.5% relative density at the cage walls while maintaining lattice strut diameters accurate to ±50 µm. A clinical partner agreement with Brno University Hospital's neurosurgery department provides both patient geometry datasets and post-implantation µCT follow-up imaging for osseointegration validation. Jana's ongoing CE mark consultancy engagement confirms her trajectory toward medical device regulatory practice.

Thesis Topic

Selective Laser Sintering of Patient-Specific Titanium Spinal Cages with Topologically Optimised Lattice Core for Osseointegration

Transition Signals