Mechanical characterization of an endoprosthesis.

• Main Author: Tan, Xue Yu.
• Other Authors: Liao Kin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Biotechnology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16508
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Loss of mandibular bone as a result of trauma, inflammatory diseases and benign or malignant tumors demonstrated the need of mandibular reconstruction. The recent success of Tideman Lee’s modular endoprosthesis had been populated as a successful method of mandibular reconstruction. The objective of this study was to identify the bite force, fracture load, strain distributions and to make comparisons on how this property differs between normal and reconstructed mandible. In addition, fatigue behaviors of intact mandibles were examined in this work. For this study, a novel testing rig was also designed to facilitate the in vitro experimental test. Preliminary experimental data showed that intact mandibles had greater fracture strength and could exhibit a bite force which was 7 times greater than that of reconstructed mandibles. Strain results also showed that the mandibles were more heavily loaded at a 45o angle. It was noted that the intact mandibles generally exhibited a linear stress-strain relationship. The implant on reconstructed mandibles was subjected to minimal stress and the resected region of the reconstructed mandibles experienced a significant higher stress during the in vitro experimental tests. Comparison of FEM and in vitro strain measurement also demonstrated a consistency in both quantitative and qualitative data with only a deviation of 8.76 % in the stress recorded.