This paper introduces the current development and challenges of vision prosthesis.
Prosthesis Design ; Visual Prosthesis

Prosthesis Coloring

No abstract available.
Ossicular Prosthesis*

This review paper presents the current research progress, challenges and future development on microelectrode array of retinal prosthesis, including epi-retinal and sub-retinal implants.
Microelectrodes ; Prosthesis Design ; Visual Prosthesis

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the stability of prosthetic screws from three types of craniofacial prostheses retention systems (bar-clip, ball/O-ring, and magnet) when submitted to mechanical cycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve models of acrylic resin were used with implants placed 20 mm from each other and separated into three groups: (1) bar-clip (Sistema INP, São Paulo, Brazil), (2) ball/O-ring (Sistema INP), and (3) magnet (Metalmag, São Paulo, Brazil), with four samples in each group. Each sample underwent a mechanical cycling removal and insertion test (f=0.5 Hz) to determine the torque and the detorque values of the retention screws. A servo-hydraulic MTS machine (810-Flextest 40; MTS Systems, Eden Prairie, MN, USA) was used to perform the cycling with 2.5 mm and a displacement of 10 mm/s. The screws of the retention systems received an initial torque of 30 Ncm and the torque values required for loosening the screw values were obtained in three cycles (1,080, 2,160, and 3,240). The screws were retorqued to 30 Ncm before each new cycle. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 24 screws grouped as follows: bar-clip (n=8), ball/O-ring (n=8), and magnet (n=8). There were significant differences between the groups, with greater detorque values observed in the ball/O-ring group when compared to the bar-clip and magnet groups for the first cycle. However, the detorque value was greater in the bar-clip group for the second cycle. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that all prosthetic screws will loosen slightly after an initial tightening torque, also the bar-clip retention system demonstrated greater loosening of the screws when compared with ball/O-ring and magnet retention systems.
Grassland ; Maxillofacial Prosthesis ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Prosthesis Failure ; Prosthesis Retention ; Torque

In this paper, the present research status of artificial cervical disc is summarized according to its configuration, material selection and the methodologies of design. Finally, the further progress of research on artificial cervical disc is prospected as well.
Intervertebral Disc ; Joint Prosthesis ; Prosthesis Design

Based on the analysis of the influence of the valve pivot distance on the performance of mechanical heart valve (MHV), such as the valve opening and closing features, flow field characteristics and the valve assembly properties, value constraints of the valve pivot distance were established, and the reasonable valve was obtained by means of the finite element method. It can be shown that the central flow characteristics of the valve could be enhanced with the increasing of the ratio of pivot distance to valve inner diameter, but the plastic deformation of the ring could be liable to occur in the MHV assembly process. It is proved that the valve of specifications can be designed in similar ratio of pivot distance to valve inner diameter according to the result of the valve performance experiment.
Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valves ; Prosthesis Design

BACKGROUNDArtificial joints present certain problems such as osteal absorption and lysis induced by wear debris which leads to loosening of the prosthesis over a period of time. Here we propose a design of an artificial magnetic suspension joint that was prepared by integrating the medical theories of modern material science, magnetism, and medical physics.

METHODSAccording to clinical characteristic of biological and mechanical for hip joint, we designed the appearance and dimensions of magnetic suspension joint and placed neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets in the prosthesis. As the same time, we performed mechanical and biological experiments using artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models.

RESULTSBy simulated the human hip structure and the external load, we discovered the artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models had much lesser amount and size of wear debris than the ceramic/ceramic artificial hip joint prosthesis in friction wear tests. The force between the artificial joints with magnetic materials that we have calculated is feasible for application of artificial joint. The design of artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models was plausible technically and safe biologically.

CONCLUSIONArtificial magnetic suspension hip joints may effectively reduce the incidence of the loosening of prosthesis over a period of time.

OBJECTIVETo compare the color character of VITA shade guide and the custom shade guide with metal substrate.

METHODSColor of 9 sites of 5 series of VITA shade guides and custom shade guides with metal substrate were measured by means of PR-650 spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe color range of VITA shade guide were that L* was 56.86-73.86, a* was-1.29-3.69, b* was 7.09-21.94, and the transparence was 3.20-7.59. The color range of the custom shade guide was that L* was 60.59-78.54, a* was -1.09-4.99, b* was 7.60-22.35, and the transparence was 0.23-10.98. L*, a* and b* of the custom shade guide with metal substrate were higher than VITA shade guide, and the transparence was differet. The color difference of homonymy shade tab between custom shade guide and VITA shade guide was larger than 1.5 NBS.

CONCLUSIONThere is color difference between VITA shade guide and custom shade guide. Metal substrate has effects on the color of cero-metal prosthesis, and color selection in clinic should be carefully considered.

Nonstructural valvular dysfunction of the mechanical valve is one of the serious complications after valve replacement. It may be caused by various factors; 1) entrapment by pannus, tissue or suture material 2) paravalvular leakage 3) inappropriate sizing or positioning. We have experienced the rare case of nonstructural valvular dysfunction caused by abnormal subaortic pannus ingrowth associated with malposition of mechanical valve. We removed the pannus and successfully performed valve replacement after annulus enlargement procedure(Nicks procedure).
Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Sutures