title: Population-based design of mandibular plates based on bone quality and morphology.
abstract: In this paper we present a new population-based implant design methodology, which advances the state-of-the-art approaches by combining shape and bone quality information into the design strategy. The method enhances the mechanical stability of the fixation and reduces the intra-operative in-plane bending which might impede the functionality of the locking mechanism. The method is presented for the case of mandibular locking fixation plates, where the mandibular angle and the bone quality at screw locations are taken into account. Using computational anatomy techniques, the method automatically derives, from a set of computed tomography images, the mandibular angle and the bone thickness and intensity values at the path of every screw. An optimisation strategy is then used to optimise the two parameters of plate angle and screw position. Results for the new design are presented along with a comparison with a commercially available mandibular locking fixation plate. A statistically highly significant improvement was observed. Our experiments allowed us to conclude that an angle of 126 degrees and a screw separation of 8 mm is a more suitable design than the standard 120 degrees and 9 mm.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Bern, Stauffacherstrasse 78, 3014 Bern, Switzerland. habib.bousleiman@istb.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Habib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bousleiman
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: Tateyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iizuka
authors.forename: Lutz-Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001860:Bone Plates; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*