• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.55-60
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• 2010

In this paper, tensile and bending tests of glass/polypropylene composite (Twintex) specimens fabricated by various forming conditions were carried out and the results were compared according to the forming conditions to find the appropriate condition for the forming composite bone plates. From the tests it was found that the most appropriate forming conditions were $230^{\circ}C$, 3MPa. Composite bone plates were formed using this condition by two different fabricating methods for screw holes: one was a net shape molding and the other was drilling. The forming and bending tests revealed that the drilling process provided much better bending stiffness of bone plates. This paper provided the most appropriate condition for forming composite bone plates and this result was also expected to offer informative data on forming of other Twintex structures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.458-464
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• 2011

Purpose: Metacarpal fractures are common hand injury that may require operative intervention to ensure adequate reduction and stabilization. Traditionally, titanium miniplate was used for rigid fixation of bone fractures. However, the use of permanent plate lends itself to multiple complications such as infection, exposure of the hardware, tendon adhesions, tendon rupture, prolonged pain, bony atrophy and osteoporosis (stress shielding), metal sensitization, and palpation under the skin. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plates and screws for treatment of metacarpal bone fractures. Methods: There was 17 patients who had surgery for metacarpal bone fracture from April 2007 to June 2010. All patients had open reduction and internal fixation. We used absorbable plates and screws (Inion CPS$^{(R)}$) for internal fixation. Postoperative results were assessed with x-ray. Stability of plates and screws, healing process and its complications were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. Results: All patients were successfully reduced of bone fracture, and fixations with absorbable plates and screws were stable. The mean follow up period was 7.1 months. 2 patients complained postoperative pain, but they were relieved with analgesics. All patients experienced transient stiffness, but they were relieved with active assistive range of motion after removal of splint. No patients suffered complications which could be occurred by using metallic plate. Conclusion: There was no critical complications such as re-fracture or nonunion among patients. No patients suffered side effects related with metallic implants. Biodegradable implants can offer clinically stable and attractive alternative to metallic implants to stabilize metacarpal bone fractures in the hand.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2020

Recently, porous additive manufactured(AM) cages have been introduced to provide more desirable stiffness and may be beneficial to bone ingrowth. They are designed to attempt to reduce the subsidence problem of traditional titanium cage and to get osseointegrative property that PEEK doesn't have. This study was performed to evaluate the mechanical performance of newly developed lumbar porous AM cages. Three types of mechanical tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM standards: Static compression, compression-shear, and subsidence tests. The porous AM cages with 60% porosity showed similar device stiffness and strength as the various products submitted to FDA 510(k), and their wider contact area improved the subsidence test results by about 50%. In conclusion, the porous AM cages developed in this study were considered mechanically safe and could be an alternative to solid PEEK cages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.458-464
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• 2006

Purpose: Saddle nose deformity results from lack of support to the nasal dorsum. The integrity of both the cartilaginous or bony portion of the nose is compromised. Cantilever bone graft is the mainstay for correction of saddle nose deformity, but the problems of bone graft are stiffness of the nasal tip and resorption. Thus the authors propose a costochondral cantilever graft, with the bony and cartilaginous portion harvested as one block, using cartilaginous portion as support to the nasal tip. Methods: Between October of 1996 and July of 2005, 8 cases of saddle nose deformity were treated by the same surgeon. All patients had undergone costochondral cantilever graft. Postoperative evaluation included the depression of the nasal dorsum and tip. Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative photographs was done if possible. Results: The mean follow-up period was 5.9 years. The results were excellent aesthetically and there was no complication. Conclusion: The authors' method maximize the benefits of each bone and cartilage graft while minimizing their inherent limitations.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1092-1099
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• 2018

Study Design: In-vitro biomechanical investigation. Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical effects of the degeneration of the biodegradable cervical plates developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on fusion and adjacent levels. Overview of Literature: Biodegradable implants have been recently introduced for cervical spine surgery. However, their effectiveness and safety remains unclear. Methods: A linear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the lower cervical spine, comprising the C4-C6 vertebrae was developed using computed tomography images of a 46-year-old woman. The model was validated by comparison with previous reports. Four models of ACDF were analyzed and compared: (1) a titanium plate and bone block (Tita), (2) strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G) that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength, (3) weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G) that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength, and (4) stand-alone bone block (Bloc). FE analysis was performed to investigate the relative motion and intervertebral disc stress at the surgical (C5-C6 segment) and adjacent (C4-C5 segment) levels. Results: The Tita and PLA-4G models were superior to the other models in terms of higher segment stiffness, smaller relative motion, and lower bone stress at the surgical level. However, the maximal von Mises stress at the intervertebral disc at the adjacent level was significantly higher in the Tita and PLA-4G models than in the other models. The relative motion at the adjacent level was significantly lower in the PLA-1G and Bloc models than in the other models. Conclusions: The use of biodegradable plates will enhance spinal fusion in the initial stronger period and prevent adjacent segment degeneration in the later, weaker period.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2010

The locking compression plates-distal femur(LCP-DF) are being widely used for surgical management of the extra-articular complex fractures of the distal femur. They feature locking mechanism between the screws and the screw holes of the plate to provide stronger fixation force with less number of screws than conventional compression bone plate. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not fully understood, especially regarding the number of the screws inserted and their optimal configurations. In this study, we investigated effects of various screw configurations in the shaft and the condylar regions of the femur in relation to structural stability of LCP-DF system. For this purpose, a baseline 3-D finite element (FE) model of the femur was constructed from CT-scan images of a normal healthy male and was validated. The extra-articular complex fracture of the distal femur was made with a 4-cm defect. Surgical reduction with LCP-DF and bone screws were added laterally. To simulate various cases of post-op screw configurations, screws were inserted in the shaft (3~5 screws) and the condylar (4~6 screws) regions. Particular attention was paid at the shaft region where screws were inserted either in clustered or evenly-spaced fashion. Tied-contact conditions were assigned at the bone screws-plate whereas general contact condition was assumed at the interfaces between LCP-DF and bone screws. Axial compressive load of 1,610N(2.3 BW) was applied on the femoral head to reflect joint reaction force. An average of 5% increase in stiffness was found with increase in screw numbers (from 4 to 6) in the condylar region, as compared to negligible increase (less than 1%) at the shaft regardless of the number of screws inserted or its distribution, whether clustered or evenly-spaced. At the condylar region, screw insertion at the holes near the fracture interface and posterior locations contributed greater increase in stiffness (9~13%) than any other locations. Our results suggested that the screw insertion at the condylar region can be more effective than at the shaft during surgical treatment of fracture of the distal femur with LCP-DF. In addition, screw insertion at the holes close to the fracture interface should be accompanied to ensure better fracture healing.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.45-54
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• 2009

This study was developed the metallic plate for bone fixation in the neurosurgery and general surgery and plates has a finn place in bone operating and treatment. The plates can be realized to bending strength and stiffness for strength estimation. Maximum point of bending curves has a bending point(P) with maximum load which to applied nearly 0.2% offset displacement. The device's sizing has a ${\Phi}13$ and ${\Phi}18$, and algorithm of strength estimation compared a plate(${\Phi}13$, ${\Phi}18$, ${\Phi}13-{\Phi}18$). The bending strength of the curved metallic plate has to evaluate maximum of a 311N, 387N, 410N, 474N. When a displacement preserve with a load, tensile stress through to press a plate is 274N, 324N, 382N, 394N. The algorithm of strength estimation can be used to support estimation of bending strength and stiffness. Their tool bring to settlement in the new basic algorithm for evidence with varied adjustment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.4 s.175
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• pp.1055-1064
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• 2000

First, various specimen geometries, namely, coupon type, waisted type and dog-bone type, were examined to determine appropriate fatigue specimen of thermoplastic composite material AS4/PEEK and the n, fatigue strength of smooth and notched specimens of AS4/PEEK [-45/0/+45/90]2s was investigated. Fatigue tests were performed under load controlled condition at a stress ratio of 0. 1 at a frequency of 5Hz. Stiffness degradation of specimens with fatigue cycling was monitored using an automated unloading compliance technique. The waisted type specimen is found appropriate for smooth fatigue specimen geometry of AS4/PEEK. As for the effect of stress concentration, it is found that fatigue strength is higher for a 2mm-diameter hole notched specimen than a 5mm-diameter one. Fatigue notch factor decreases with the increase of fatigue life. These results are far different from the trend of fatigue strength of metallic materials. The stiffness variation of smooth specimen was only 4% at maximum until final fracture. On the other hand, the stiffness of hole notched specimen was reduced by 45% at maximum. Notched fatigue strength was compared between thermoplastic composite AS4/PEEK and thermosetting composite Graphite/Epoxy. In long-life fatigue (>104), the AS4/PEEK composite shows superior fatigue strength, but in short-life fatigue, the fatigue strength of the Graphite/Epoxy composite is nearly equal or somewhat higher than that of the AS4/PEEK composite.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

When the mandible performs opening movement, the condyle-disk complex conducts sliding movement along the articular eminence. Thus, anatomic configuration of articular eminence is very important to normal movement of TMJ. The purpose of this study was to measure the posterior slope of the articular eminence and evaluate the effect of a pathologic bone change in the condylar head on the stiffness of articular eminence, and compare the differences of the articular eminence slope by gender and age using dental cone-beam CT. As using i-CAT Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, the CT images of 204 TMJs of 102 patients(43 men and 59 women, mean age: 37.7 years) who were diagnosed at Wonkwang University Sanbon Dental Hospital were evaluated. All images were converted into a TMJ analysis mode to observe the continuous sagittal section images and coronal section images of the joints. To observe and assess bone changes in the condyle, three dentists measured the stiffness of the articular eminence on the same images, and when two of the three dentists agreed on their reading, these results were adopted and recorded. The articular eminence slope, considering the condylar anatomic configuration, was measured in three regions, namely, lateral part, central part, and medial part of the condyle. In the cases of a normal condyle(NCBC) and a condyle(CBC) with bone change, the articular eminence slopes were $57.0^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $51.8^{\circ}$(CBC) at the medial part, $57.9^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $52.4^{\circ}$(CBC) at the central part, and $55.1^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $49.5^{\circ}$(CBC) at the lateral part of the condyle. And the articular eminence slope of the condyle with bone change demonstrated less steepness than that of normal condyle (p<0.05). The articular eminence slope showed mediolaterally that it was the steepest at the central, followed by at the medial, and at the lateral (p<0.05). There were no significant differences by the gender and the age (p.0.05).

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes after intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft with plate fixation for the nonunion of midshaft clavicular fractures. Material and Methods: Between September 2007 and May 2011, 10 patients who were treated by the intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft, with plate fixation for clavicle nonunion, were studied. The mean follow-up period was 30.7 (12~57) months. After the sclerotic bone was excised to the bleeding cortical bone, we interposed the tricortical iliac bone to provide structural support and restore clavicle length, and then fixed the plate and screws. The radiologic outcomes on the serial plain radiographs and clinical outcomes, according to UCLA, ASES and Quick DASH scores, were analyzed. Results: Bony union was obtained in all cases (100%) and the average union time was 18.4 (14~24) weeks. The average respective UCLA and ASES scores improved from 16.7 and 52.1 preoperatively to 27.4 and 83.6 postoperatively (p<0.05). The average Quick DASH score was 40.5, at the final follow-up. Complications were 2 shoulder stiffness, and one case had removal of device and arthroscopic surgery at 11 months, postoperatively. There were no implant failure or infection. Conclusion: Intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft, with plate fixation for the nonunion of midshaft clavicular fractures, is a good option that can provide structural support and restore clavicle length, as well as high union rate.