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Porosity-mechanical behaviour correlation in cranial implants

Recent advances in Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing techniques (CAD/CAM) have facilitated the rapid and precise construction of customized implants used for craniofacial reconstruction. Data of the patients' trauma, acquired through Computer Topographies (CT), provide sufficient information with regard to the defect contour profile, thus allowing a thorough preoperative evaluation whilst ensuring excellent implant precision. During the selection, however, of a suitable implant material for the specific trauma, the mechanical aspects of the implant have to be considered. This investigation aims to assess the mechanical strength, the shock resistance and the critical deflection of cranial implants manufactured with Ti6Al4V. To achieve this, a set of compression specimens with varying porosity and pore size were developed and their bulk elasticity modulus determined which was further on used as input for the FEM simulation of a cranial implant under different loads to evaluate the structures mechanical behavior.