• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.412-418
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• 2015

Objective : To investigate the effects of posterior implant rigidity on spinal kinematics at adjacent levels by utilizing a cadaveric spine model with simulated physiological loading. Methods : Five human lumbar spinal specimens (L3 to S1) were obtained and checked for abnormalities. The fresh specimens were stripped of muscle tissue, with care taken to preserve the spinal ligaments and facet joints. Pedicle screws were implanted in the L4 and L5 vertebrae of each specimen. Specimens were tested under 0 N and 400 N axial loading. Five different posterior rods of various elastic moduli (intact, rubber, low-density polyethylene, aluminum, and titanium) were tested. Segmental range of motion (ROM), center of rotation (COR) and intervertebral disc pressure were investigated. Results : As the rigidity of the posterior rods increased, both the segmental ROM and disc pressure at L4-5 decreased, while those values increased at adjacent levels. Implant stiffness saturation was evident, as the ROM and disc pressure were only marginally increased beyond an implant stiffness of aluminum. Since the disc pressures of adjacent levels were increased by the axial loading, it was shown that the rigidity of the implants influenced the load sharing between the implant and the spinal column. The segmental CORs at the adjacent disc levels translated anteriorly and inferiorly as rigidity of the device increased. Conclusion : These biomechanical findings indicate that the rigidity of the dynamic stabilization implant and physiological loading play significant roles on spinal kinematics at adjacent disc levels, and will aid in further device development.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.125-130
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• 2015

Background: Poly-L-lactide materials combined with hydroxyapatite (u-HA /PLLA) have been developed to overcome the drawbacks of absorbable materials, such as radiolucency and comparably less implant strength. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of u-HA/PLLA material in the repair of orbital medial wall defects. Methods: This study included 10 patients with pure medial wall blow-out fractures. The plain radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediately after, and 2 months after surgery. The computed tomography scans were performed preoperatively and 2 months after surgery. Patients were evaluated for ease of manipulation, implant immobility, rigidity and complications with radiologic studies. Results: None of the patients had postoperative complications, such as infection or enophthalmos. The u-HA/PLLA implants had adequate rigidity, durability, and stable position on follow-up radiographic studies. On average, implants were thawed 3.4 times and required 14 minutes of handling time. Conclusion: The u-HA/PLLA implants are safe and reliable for reconstruction of orbital medial wall in terms of rigidity, immobility, radiopacity, and cost-effectiveness. These thin yet rigid implants can be useful where wide periosteal dissection is difficult due to defect location or size. Since the u-HA/PLLA material is difficult to manipulate, these implants are not suitable for use in complex 3-dimensional defects.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.734-739
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• 2006

Statement of problem. Many surface processing methods of dental implant have been developed, the laser processing is one of them. Purpose. This study was to investigate in vitro the fatigue resistance of implants treated with laser method(CSM implant, CSM Company, Daegu, Korea). Material and methods. Fatigue tests of 23 laser treated CSM implant(CSM Company, Daegu, Korea) were conducted using Instron 8871 (Load cell, 5 kN, Instron Co., England), according to ISO 14801 (2003), Results. From 300 N, each specimens were not fractured and withstood until more than 5,000,000 cycle. Conclusion. Within the limits of this in vitro study, implants treated with laser method (CSM implant, CSM Company, Daegu, Korea) have had enough rigidity and fatigue resistance to use clinically with reliance.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.364-369
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• 2005

Objective: Spinal instrumentation without fusion often fails due to biological failure of intervertebral joints (spontaneous fusion, degeneration, etc). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fixation rigidity on viability of intervertebral joints. Methods: Twenty pigs in growing period were subjected to posterior segmental fixation. Twelve were fixed with a rigid fixation system(RF) while eight were fixed with a flexible unconstrained implant(FF). At the time of the surgery, a scoliosis was created to monitor fixation adequacy. The pigs were subjected to periodic radiological examinations and 12pigs (six in RF, six in FF) were euthanized at 12-18months postoperatively for analysis. Results: The initial scoliotic curve was reduced from $31{\pm}5^{\circ}$ to $27{\pm}8^{\circ}$ in RF group (p=0.37) and from $19{\pm}4^{\circ}$ to $17{\pm}5^{\circ}$ in FF group (p=0.21). Although severe disc degeneration and spontaneous fusion of facet joints were observed in RF group, disc heights of FF group were well maintained without major signs of degeneration. Conclusion: The viability of the intervertebral joints depends on motion spinal fixation. Systems allowing intervertebral micromotion may preserve the viability of intervertebral discs and the facet joint articular cartilages while maintaining a reasonably stable fixation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.597-602
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• 2008

Purpose: Presently, silicone rubber is chosen most frequently for nasal augmentation. However, there is a possibility of extrusion with this material. Sometimes, noses are prone to be traumatized, and then silicone rubber has a possibility of deformity or deviation resulting in trauma. We experienced cases with complications and traumatic deformities after the augmentation rhinoplasty. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to determine the characteristics of the implanted nasal silicone prosthesis after trauma. The patients' data such as deviation of implant, shape of fracture, age and sex of the patient, time of treatment, operative methods were reviewed. From March 2001 to March 2008, this study was performed in 30 patients. The patients were 25 females and 5 males, from 24 to 60 years of age, with an average of 42. All patients had previous augmentation rhinoplasty with silicone implant. Results: All of the 30 patients were confirmed as deviation of silicone and nasal bone fractures in the facial bone CT scan. The most common cause of fracture was traffic accident. The classification of nasal trauma after augmentation was done by facial bone CT. Class I: Deviation of silicone without nasal bone fracture without extrusion(12 cases, 40%), Class II: Deviation of silicone without nasal bone fracture and with extrusion(4 cases, 13%), Class III: Deviation of silicone with nasal bone fracture and without extrusion(8 cases, 27%), Class IV: Deviation of silicone with nasal bone fracture and with extrusion(3 cases, 10%), Class V: Mild deviation of silicone with nasal bone fracture(3cases, 3%). Specially, the comminuted or trapezoid nasal fracture was confirmed in 11 cases(Class III, IV). Conclusion: The problems of silicone implant have generally been related to foreign body reactions, rigidity of the material, encapsulation, infections, and extrusion. We experienced 11 cases of comminuted or comminuted trapezoid shaped fracture below nasal implant. So, we think this phenomenon could be used in late problem of silicone implant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2004

In this paper, mechanical behaviors of developed pedicle screw system, made of bio-mechanical materials(Ti-6Al-4V, Grade 5), ale predicted using FEM analysis. As a first step, morphologic construction of normal Korean spines and surgical operation convenience are considered to design optimum pedicle screw system. In this step, various design variables are considered as design parameters to develop optimized models. As a next step, tension and bending tests are performed to improve the structural performance of the developed system using finite element method. In this step, required Static compression and bending test specifications by ASTM F-04 25 04 01 are applied to understand the bio-mechanical behaviors of the designed spinal implant system under various load types. As the results of this research, it is possible to develop efficient pedicle screw system, having enough rigidity and fixation to stand any spinal damage under allowable stress conditions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.182-191
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• 2007

Bioabsorbable devices have been utilized and experimented in many aspects of orthopaedic surgery. Depending upon their constituent polymers, these materials can be tailored to provide sufficient rigidity to allow bone healing, retain mechanical strength for certain period of time, and then eventually begin to undergo degradation. The objective of this study was to estimate extent in which Poly-L-latic acid (PLLA) implants had bioabsorbability and biocompatibility with bone and soft tissue in dogs and also to develop bioabsorbable, biocompatible materials with the appropriate strength and degradation characteristics to allow for regular clinical use for treating orthopedic problems in humans as well as animals. Eighteen dogs were used as experimental animals and were inserted two types of PLLA implants. PLLA rods were inserted into subcutaneous tissue of back or the abdomen wall. And the rods were tested for material properties including viscosity, molecular weight, melting point, melting temperature, crystallinity, flexural strength, and flexural modulus over time. PLLA screws were inserted through cortical bone into bone marrow in the femur of the dogs and stainless steel screw was inserted in the same femur. Radiographs were taken after surgery to observe locations of screw. Histological variations including cortical bone response, muscular response, bone marrow response were analyzed over the time for 62weeks. The physical properties of PLLA rods had delicate balances between mechanical, thermal and viscoelastic factors. PLLA screws did not induce any harmful effects and clinical complications on bone and soft tissue for degradation period. These results suggest that PLLA implants could be suitable for clinical use.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.228-234
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• 2019

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, akinesia, postural instability, and muscular rigidity, which is caused by the depletion of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Cooperative dental treatment is more challenging because of tremor of Parkinson's disease. In this case, a 47-year-old Parkinson's disease patient with chronic periodontitis was treated with full-mouth rehabilitation using conventional fixed prostheses and implant fixed partial denture, which attained satisfactory outcomes functionally and esthetically. Short term periodic follow-ups will be needed with consideration for the characteristics of Parkinson's disease such as decreased manual dexterity.