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The structural integrity of cranial implants is of great clinical importance, as they aim to provide cerebral protection after neurosurgery or trauma. With the increased use of patient-specific implants, the mechanical response of each implant cannot be characterized experimentally in a practical way. However, computational models provide an excellent possibility for efficiently predicting the mechanical response of patient-specific implants. This study developed finite element models (FEMs) of titanium-reinforced calcium phosphate (CaP–Ti) implants. The models were validated with previously obtained experimental data for two different CaP–Ti implant designs (D1 and D2), in which generically shaped implant specimens were loaded in compression at either quasi-static (1 mm/min) or impact (5 kg, 1.52 m/s) loading rates. The FEMs showed agreement with experimental data in the force–displacement response for both implant designs. The implicit FEMs predicted the peak load with an underestimation for D1 (9%) and an overestimation for D2 (11%). Furthermore, the shape of the force–displacement curves were well predicted. In the explicit FEMs, the first part of the force–displacement response showed 5% difference for D1 and 2% difference for D2, with respect to the experimentally derived peak loads. The explicit FEMs efficiently predicted the maximum displacements with 1% and 4% difference for D1 and D2, respectively. Compared to the CaP–Ti implant, an average parietal cranial bone FEM showed a stiffer response, greater energy absorption and less deformation under the same impact conditions. The framework developed for modelling the CaP–Ti implants has a potential for modelling CaP materials in other composite implants in future studies since it only used literature based input and matched boundary conditions. Furthermore, the developed FEMs make an important contribution to future evaluations of patient-specific CaP–Ti cranial implant designs in various loading scenarios. Image 1 • The mechanical response of two calcium phosphate–titanium implant designs was modelled. • The mechanical response was modelled at quasi-static and impact loading rates. • The models showed agreement with experimental data. • The computational models make it possible to model patient-specific implants in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cranial implants are used to repair bone defects following neurosurgery or trauma. At present, there is a lack of data on their mechanical response, particularly in impact loading. The aim of the present study was to assess the mechanical response of a recently developed composite calcium phosphate–titanium (CaP–Ti) implant at quasi-static and impact loading rates. Two different designs were tested, referred to as Design 1 (D1) and Design 2 (D2). The titanium structures in the implant specimens were additively manufactured by a powder-bed fusion process and subsequently embedded in a self-setting CaP material. D1 was conceptually representative of the clinically used implants. In D2, the titanium structure was simplified in terms of geometry in order to facilitate the manufacturing. The mechanical response of the implants was evaluated in quasi-static compression, and in impact using a drop-tower. Similar peak loads were obtained for the two designs, at the two loading rates: 808 ± 29 N and 852 ± 34 for D1, and 840 ± 40 N and 814 ± 13 for D2. A strain rate dependency was demonstrated for both designs, with a higher stiffness in the impact test. Furthermore, the titanium in the implant fractured in the quasi-static test (to failure) but not in the impact test (to 5.75 J) for D1. For D2, the displacement at peak load was significantly lower in the impact test than in the quasi-static test. The main difference between the designs was seen in the quasi-static test results where the deformation zones, i.e. notches in the titanium structure between the CaP tiles, in D1 likely resulted in a localization of the deformation, compared to in D2 (which did not have deformation zones). In the impact test, the only significant difference between the designs was a higher maximum displacement of D2 than of D1. In comparison with other reported mechanical tests on osteoconductive ceramic-based cranial implants, the CaP–Ti implant demonstrates the highest reported strength in quasi-static compression. In conclusion, the titanium structure seems to make the CaP–Ti implant capable of cerebral protection in impact situations like the one tested in this study. Image 1 • Mechanical tests of two CaP–Ti cranial implant designs were performed. • In Design 2, less complex design features facilitated the additive manufacturing. • The mechanical behaviour of the designs differed at quasi-static loading rates. • The mechanical behaviour of the designs was similar in impact. • The titanium structure of the implants provide protection at the level of impact tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]