Cranial reconstruction utilizing polymeric implants in two different designs: finite element investigation

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Cranial Reconstruction
• Finite Element Analysis

Background:

• Cranial implants are necessary for skull defects resulting from trauma.
• Titanium is a common material but has limitations like surface modification needs and potential allergies.
• Polymeric materials are emerging as viable alternatives to titanium in medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate PEEK and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) as alternatives to titanium for cranial implants.
• To conduct a finite element study on skull reconstruction using these materials.

Main Methods:

• A 3D defective skull model was used for finite element analysis.
• Custom cranial implants of two designs (plate and mesh) were created using PEEK and CFR-PEEK (30% and 60%).
• Simulations applied a 2000 N impact force to assess stress, strain, and deformation.

Main Results:

• CFR-PEEK 60% implants showed the lowest stress, strain, and deformation on the skull and brain.
• Plate implants reduced skull stress but increased brain tissue stress compared to mesh.
• CFR-PEEK implants (30% and 60%) and titanium implants were resistant to fracture, unlike pure PEEK mesh implants.

Conclusions:

• CFR-PEEK implants (30% and 60%) are suitable alternatives to titanium for cranial reconstruction.
• Carbon fiber reinforcement enhances PEEK's mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties.
• These composite implants offer benefits like low weight, biocompatibility, and ease of fabrication.