Fig. 2

Depiction of the upper and lower stamp of the new biomechanical testing device. Top right and top left image: a test-vertebra mounted in the testing machine with the pin inserted into the vertebral foramen, the base plate placed onto the lower punch and the top punch lowered onto the top plate. Note in the top left image, the natural incline of the vertebra which is addressed by the slanted nature of the top stamp. Lower image: lower punch with lower stamp with an exemplary description of the different ways of adjustment in all directions. Both systems used together ensure a perfect fit for each individual vertebra