Development of a static and dynamic simulator for osteosyntheses of the mandible

Abstract

The development of new methods and materials for osteosynthesis requires in vitro testing prior to clinical use to exclude major problems or difficulties. In the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery no standardized testing procedures have so far been established. From a biomechanical point of view the lower jaw can be described as a lever that during the chewing cycle various forces at various points of the bone act upon. Standardized solid foam polyurethane mandibles (Sawbones®, Malmö, Sweden) were used for the testing of various types of screws and different types of fractures. Via linkages that were connected to hydraulic cylinders defined forces were exerted on the polyurethane mandibles and the deformation was registered depending on the force. Monitoring was carried out contactless and therefore without back coupling by the use of a video system that recorded well-defined points on both sides of the fracture line. The photographs were then evaluated by special software (SIMI MOTION CAPTURE®). The control of the cylinders was performed through a processor that besides static forces also allowed dynamic testing (e.g. sinusoid oscillation with defined amplitude and number of cycles). For the standardized and realistic three-dimensional static or dynamic testing of new methods and materials for osteosynthesis of the lower jaw this test stand has proved to be optimally suitable. Independent on the type of fracture and the material used the field of application for our test stand is the complete lower jaw. Therefore an ethically correct and economically reasonable testing of industrial products and clinical methods of osteosynthesis can be performed with this simulator.