title: Digital planning of cranial implants.
abstract: Computer-aided techniques can be used in the reconstruction of defects in the skull, although there are limitations for large defects. We describe a technique for the digital design of an implant for cranioplasty using one, easy-to-use, piece of generic industrial software that shows a curvature-based, hole-filling algorithm. This approach is suitable for all kinds of defects, including those that extend across the midline of the skull. The workflow gives the user full control over the design, production, and material used for the implant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. w.j.van.der.meer@dmo.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Wicher J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Ruud R M
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vissink
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002102:Cadaver; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D012984:Software; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials