Sculpting a prosthetic implant in Blender

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Sculpting a PEEK (polyether-ether-ketone} prosthetic implant for "patient" after craniectomy with loss of temporalis muscle in order to achieve a protective and cosmetic effect. (Temporalis muscle flap causing temporal hollowing and not attaching to PEEK implant)

Top=Final
Bottom=Start



The implant is finished and ready to attach to the patient.

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Holes are added for blood/spinal fluid drainage, also indications for screws position.
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The asymmetry that the loss of temporalis muscle causes is fixed with the implant, achieving a natural look and a notable cosmetic effect.

Because we want to obtain a cosmetic effect, the implant must be attached to cigomatic arch instead of skull base.
To prevent empty spaces between the dura and the implant, PEEK will be thicker in order to cover empty spaces and for better holding and to ensure brain symmetry.



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We take the opposite side and then mirror it before starting sculpting


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Patient is missing temporal bone and parts of frontal/parietal aswell

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Nice work, I'm assuming this material is more expensive than the traditional titanium meshes? I noticed the added drainages, but I wonder how it would affect the cerebral hemodynamics as a whole, in terms of comfort too since titanium trades a little more flexibility
 
Nice work, I'm assuming this material is more expensive than the traditional titanium meshes? I noticed the added drainages, but I wonder how it would affect the cerebral hemodynamics as a whole, in terms of comfort too since titanium trades a little more flexibility

PEEK is more expensive but is more precise, also the physical properties are identical to a bone in terms of weigh, resistance, etc. Its even stronger than a bone.

Its light, but strong, and almost fully rigid. (It has certain flexibility, almost unnoticeable)

And it is very comfortable! You wont even remember you have an implant on you, feels exactly like a bone! Except when you touch your skin, obviously, you will notice the beginning/end of the implant/bone, but it fits so well that there are few empty spaces (0,5mm or less)
The implant is attached using plates with small titanium screws attached to the bone.

You will still get the "Can you pass airport checkpoints?" question anyways, and will have to explain that it's made of plastic.


" I noticed the added drainages, but I wonder how it would affect the cerebral hemodynamics as a whole"
-> After the implant is placed, and brain symmetry is achieved, the patient mental status improves quickly, and the CSF stays inside the subarachnoid space.
The holes are made only in case the patient has complications such as edema, hemorrhage, excessive CSF production, amongst others so the liquids can be drained quickly without the need of a second decompressive craniectomy
 
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