Biomedical Engineering – From Theory to Applications

Orthopaedic Modular Implants Based on Shape Memory Alloys
Fig. 45. The evolution of the temperature and bone compression force in time
5.9 In vitro experiment on the cadaver
We carried out experiments on the humerus bone of a cadaver.
The surgical technique is the following: One of the module was positioned on the proximal
fragment. Using the drilling machine and the spiral, two channels in the cortical were made.
Afterwards, two screws were mounted into the channels, making an assembly through
which the implant was fixed to the bone. A similar approach involved the distal fragment of
the bone. The second implant was positioned on the bone so it could be coupled with the
first implant and, at the same time, to allow the longitudinal sliding of the two implants and
of the two sectioned bones by 2 mm.
a) b) c)
d) e) f)
Fig. 46. Main stages of the surgical experiment on the humerus bone of a cadaver: a)
establishing the fracture zone on the cadaver humerus; b) the skin is cut; c) the mounting of
the modules; d) the initial coupling of the modules; d) the modules are coupled by two
staples; f) the final assembly, before the skin closing.
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