Biomechanical simulation for 3 layer calvarial prosthesis

In this study, we conducted biomechanical study about behavior of large cranioplasty upon post-operative impact injury. Previous studies utilized a surface model of single layer with thickness of adult skull as 7 mm in the parietal bone. The finite element model used four-node and three-node quadrilateral shell elements. The overall model consists of 2,168 solid elements, and 4,736 shell elements. The dynamic behavior of the model was tested on the composite materials similar to normal adult skull in three layers (inner, outer and diploe layer). This structure resembles characteristics of calvarial implant differently upon impact. In order to overcome limitation of previous model, we designed a physiological model and analyzed dynamic behavior with new implant materials. The composite implant with two popular materials and middle polymer layer was evaluated and compared with bony material.