Diseño y Manufactura de un Implante Personalizado de Cráneo

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology used to design a custom-made cranial implant for a 26 year-old patient, who suffered a lesion in the left frontoparietal region of the skull caused by a fibrous dysplasia. The design of the implant was carried out from the 3D reconstruction of the skull of the patient, obtained by a CT- Scan, using Rapid Form 2006. Once the preliminary design was obtained, 3D models of the injured region of the skull and implant were fabricated in a Rapid Prototyping (RP) machine using the Fused Deposition Modeling Technology (FDM) with the purpose of making a functional and dimensional validation of the implant. Subsequently, the implant was fabricated in titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V). With the methodology, the prosthesis was successfully implanted. The surgical time decreased by 50 with the same type of surgery in which standard commercial implants and titanium meshes are used; due, principally, to the need of implementing trial and error procedures, which intend to achieve a good fit of the implant increasing the risk of the patient. Finally, the aesthetic appearance of the patient was recovered, allowing the patient to safely perform daily activities.