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Biomedical subjects

Christoph Runte

Publications and source records attributed to Christoph Runte.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Bone loading pattern around implants in average and atrophic edentulous maxillae: a finite-element analysis.

Introduction: Oral implants placed in the maxilla, especially the posterior region, have a lower success rate than those placed in the mandible. Poor bone quantity and quality have been suggested as a reason for this differential success rate. Objective: The purpose of this study was, therefore, to evaluate stress and strain distributions around loaded implants in the normal and atrophic maxilla by finite-element (FE) analyses. Material: FE models of a solitary implant were generated to determine stresses and strains in the bone adjacent to the implant surface under loading conditions. Study design: Different bony situations and implant lengths were used in a FE model. Static loads were applied axially and the resulting stresses and strains calculated. Results: Bone quality and quantity play a major role in decreasing bone strains adjacent to the implant surface under loading. It was found that stresses were more homogeneously distributed when more spongy bone was present. Decreased bone height was found to have less pronounced effects on strain and stress alterations than poor bone quality. Atrophic bony dimensions in combination with poor bone quality were associated with surface strains exceeding physiological levels (>6000 microstrains). Conclusion: Our investigation indicates that supraphysiological bone strains adjacent to the implant surface should be expected under mechanical loading in the atrophic maxilla. Copyright 2001 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.

Journal Article↗

Optical data acquisition for computer-assisted design of facial prostheses.

PURPOSE: The conventional impression technique for manufacturing facial prostheses has the disadvantage of deforming the soft tissues because of the tension caused by the impression material, as well as causing discomfort to the patient. The purpose of this study was to establish a system that allows contact-free reproduction of the facial surface combined with computer-assisted design and fabrication of facial prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional data of the facial surface were obtained using an optical acquisition system based on the method of phase-measuring profilometry. A sensor head with a fringe projector and two CCD cameras for photogrammetric triangulation were used in connection with a PC for measurement control and data evaluation. Software for computer-assisted design of the facial surface to be reconstructed was developed. A prototype facial prosthesis was fabricated using stereolithography. The system was tested using a modified puppet head. First clinical tests were performed with a patient who had undergone maxillofacial surgery including the resection of one eye. RESULTS: Three-dimensional data acquisition and imaging allow visualization of a whole face without causing tension or neuromuscular reaction. As surface brightness is also part of the digital model, it is even more realistic than a plaster cast. The stereolithographic object showed good marginal fit and satisfactory shape. CONCLUSION: The presented technique allows three-dimensional data reproduction of the facial surface, computer-assisted design of a facial prosthesis, and transfer to a rapid prototyping unit. The system has obvious advantages over conventional impression techniques. Further clinical trials are planned to evaluate the clinical success of the technique.

Computer-Aided Design↗

Spectral analysis of /s/ sound with changing angulation of the maxillary central incisors.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to measure the influence of the maxillary central incisors free from adaptation phenomena using spectral analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The maxillary dentures of 18 subjects were duplicated. The central incisors were fixed in a pivoting appliance so that their position could be changed from labial to palatal direction. A mechanical push/pull cable enabled the incisor section to be handled extraorally. Connected to the control was a sound generator producing a sinus wave whose frequency was related to the central incisor angulation. This acoustic signal was recorded on one channel of a digital tape recorder. After calibration of the unit, the denture duplicate was inserted into the subject's mouth, and the signal of the /s/ sounds subsequently produced by the subject was recorded on the second channel during alteration of the inclination angle simultaneously with the generator signal. Spectral analysis was performed using a Kay Speech-Lab 4300B. RESULTS: Labial displacement in particular produced significant changes in spectral characteristics, with the lower boundary frequency of the /s/ sound being raised and the upper boundary frequency being reduced. CONCLUSION: Maxillary incisor position influences /s/ sound production. Displacement of the maxillary incisors must be considered a cause of immediate changes in /s/ sound distortion. Therefore, denture teeth should be placed in the original tooth position as accurately as possible. Our results also indicate that neuromuscular reactions are more important for initial speech sound distortions than are aerodynamic changes in the anterior speech sound-producing areas.

Acoustics↗

Image-based extracorporeal tissue engineering of individualized bone constructs.

PURPOSE: Computer-aided technologies have been recently employed for use in extracorporeal bone tissue engineering strategies. In this pilot animal experimental study, the intention was to test whether autologous osteoblast-like cells cultured in vitro on individualized scaffolds can be used to support bone regeneration in a clinical environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, mandibular bone defects were surgically introduced into the mandibles of minipigs and the scaffold of the defect site was modeled by computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique. Autologous bone cells from porcine calvaria were harvested from minipigs and grown in culture. Cells were seeded on scaffolds generated by rapid prototyping of polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymers. The defects were then reconstructed by implanting the tissue constructs. RESULTS: The intraoperative sites as well as the postoperative computerized tomographic scans demonstrated an accurate fit in the defect sites. The implanted scaffold constructs enriched with osteoblast-like cells were well tolerated and appeared to support bone formation, as revealed by histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. DISCUSSION: These results indicated that in vitro expanded osteoblast-like cells spread on a resorbable individualized scaffold can be capable of promoting the repair of bony defects in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results warrant further attempts to combine computer modeling and tissue engineering for use in bone reconstructive surgery.

Animals↗