Bioinspired Sternal Implant Design for Generic Anatomical Reconstruction: An In Silico Framework for Material Selection and Biomechanical Validation
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2026
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
MDPI
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
The sternum protects the intrathoracic organs and contributes to chest wall mechanics, which makes reconstruction after tumor resection, trauma, or infection a demanding biomechanical problem. This study presents an in silico workflow for preselecting materials for sternal implants before physical prototyping. After a virtual resection, an anatomically conformal implant was designed and candidate biomaterials were screened in CES Selector using density, elastic modulus, fatigue strength, fracture toughness, toxicity, medical grade suitability, and MRI safety. A representative subset of the screened candidates was then compared by finite element modeling in terms of stress transfer and deformation. Seventeen candidates met the screening criteria. Ti-13Nb-13Zr showed an elastic modulus of about 80 GPa, and the titanium-based candidates showed deformation values of about 0.96 to 1.03 mm, whereas GF PEEK reached about 1.74 mm. The stress shielding index also showed that titanium-based materials remained on the implant-dominant side, while polymer-based materials shifted stress transfer toward bone. Taken together, the findings suggest that Ti-13Nb-13Zr offers the best overall balance for load-bearing sternal reconstruction, whereas PEEK-based systems may be more suitable within the present model for hybrid or adjunct designs. The proposed workflow can support early implant planning and guide future experimental and clinical studies.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Sternum Implant, Bioinspired Design, Ces Selector, Biomaterial Selection, Finite Element Analysis, Thoracic Reconstruction
Kaynak
Biomimetics
WoS Q Değeri
Q1
Scopus Q Değeri
N/A
Cilt
11
Sayı
4
