Biomechanical Strength of Reconstruction Plates when Used for Medial Support of Med-El Cochlear Implants: Implications for Diagnostic MRI

Vol. 68, No. 2, 2006

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Original Paper

Biomechanical Strength of Reconstruction Plates when Used for Medial Support of Med-El Cochlear Implants: Implications for Diagnostic MRI
David M. Poetker^a, P. Ashley Wackym^a, Narayan Yoganandan^b, Christina L. Runge-Samuelson^a, Jill B. Firszt^a, Frank A. Pintar^c

Departments of
^aOtolaryngology and Communication Sciences and
^bNeurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, and
^cDepartment of Veterans Affairs, Milwaukee, Wisc., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

ORL 2006;68:77-82 (DOI: 10.1159/000091118)

Key Words

Cochlear implant
Resorbable mesh reconstruction plate
Titanium mesh reconstruction plate

Abstract

Purpose:It is hypothesized that a mesh reconstruction plate designed to fit a cochlear implant (CI) internal device will provide immediate structural support to the site of the implant and that this strength far exceeds the forces induced by a 1.5-tesla MRI. Procedures: Human calvarial specimens were drilled and plated with reconstruction mesh. Force was applied until failure was reached. Results: Mean maximum force, mean force to first failure and mean displacement measures for group 1 (resorbable mesh, n = 10) were 302.9 N, 283.0 N and 3.05 mm, respectively. The mean maximum force for group 2 (0.4-mm titanium mesh, n = 10) and group 3 (0.6-mm titanium mesh, n = 8), were 121.3 and 234.0 N, respectively. Mean force of first failure was 92.0 N for group 2 and 164.8 N for group 3. Conclusions: The force required for failure of the mesh is significantly greater than the 0.17 N exerted on a CI magnet by a 1.5-tesla MRI scan.

Author Contacts

P. Ashley Wackym, MD
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53226 (USA)
Tel. +1 414 266 3750, Fax +1 414 266 2693, E-Mail wackym@mcw.edu

Article Information

Received: March 17, 2005
Accepted: May 6, 2005
Published online: January 23, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 12

Medline Abstract (ID 16432305)

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