Finite element investigation for improving chest wall reconstruction process using ceramic and polymeric implants

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Chest wall defects often necessitate reconstruction with artificial materials.
• Metallic implants like titanium have drawbacks, driving the search for alternatives.
• Finite element analysis is crucial for evaluating implant performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alternative materials for chest wall reconstruction.
• To overcome limitations of traditional metallic implants.
• To enhance chest wall reconstruction using the finite element method.

Main Methods:

• Customized rib and cartilage implants were designed.
• Materials tested included bioceramics (alumina, zirconia), polymers (PEEK, PE), and composites (CFP 30%, 60%).
• Simulations were performed under normal breathing and impact loading conditions.

Main Results:

• Alumina implants increased stress on ribs but decreased it on cartilage and lung under normal breathing.
• PE implants decreased stress on ribs but increased it on cartilage and lung.
• Alumina and PE implants showed significant stress and strain increases under impact, with some materials failing fatigue analysis.

Conclusions:

• Zirconia, CFP 30%, and CFP 60% implants are viable alternatives to titanium for chest wall reconstruction.
• Stiff alumina and soft PEEK/PE implants are not recommended due to fracture susceptibility.
• All tested implants maintained stresses and strains within allowable limits for ribs, cartilage, and lungs.