Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction

This research examines temporary external fixators (TEF) with four screw plate configurations following segmental mandibulectomy. A new design for a screw plate accommodating 2 to 4 bicortical screws (2.4 mm each) is proposed. Biomechanical reliability is assessed using finite element analysis (FEA)...

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Main Authors: Rungsan Chaiyachet, Surasith Piyasin, Weerayut Jina, Teerawat Paipongna, Apichart Boonma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tamkang University Press 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Applied Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://jase.tku.edu.tw/articles/jase-202511-28-11-0003
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author Rungsan Chaiyachet
Surasith Piyasin
Weerayut Jina
Teerawat Paipongna
Apichart Boonma
author_facet Rungsan Chaiyachet
Surasith Piyasin
Weerayut Jina
Teerawat Paipongna
Apichart Boonma
author_sort Rungsan Chaiyachet
collection DOAJ
description This research examines temporary external fixators (TEF) with four screw plate configurations following segmental mandibulectomy. A new design for a screw plate accommodating 2 to 4 bicortical screws (2.4 mm each) is proposed. Biomechanical reliability is assessed using finite element analysis (FEA) and compared with the Schanz screws. A mandibular model was created with cortical and cancellous bones segmented by threshold method. The screw plate, designed in SolidWorks, featured a 12 mm inter-hole distance, 2.0 mm thickness, and 2.4 mm screws. Structural analysis was performed in ANSYS using literature-based mechanical properties. A mesh convergence test with a 0.33 mm mesh size and 1,005,000 elements had a solution time of 205 seconds, with a relative error under 0.161%. Static structural behavior of the Left Unilateral Molar Clench (LMOL) was also analyzed. The 3-screw plate showed superior biomechanical performance, with maximum von Mises stress at 293.38 MPa, von Mises strain at 23.57 m/mm, and total deformation at 0.5915 mm. Topology optimization revealed that the 50% mass configuration is the most effective among the 40% to 60% mass range. This configuration achieved a 2.31% decrease in Maximum von Mises stress, and a 16.99% reduction in total deformation.
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issn 2708-9967
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-3d359b8ecef243d489732c8c3cebe1fc2025-08-20T02:51:27ZengTamkang University PressJournal of Applied Science and Engineering2708-99672708-99752025-03-0128112113212510.6180/jase.202511_28(11).0003Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular ReconstructionRungsan Chaiyachet0Surasith Piyasin1Weerayut Jina2Teerawat Paipongna3Apichart Boonma4Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Mechanical and Manufacturing, Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, ThailandDental Department, Sakon Nakhon Hospital, Sakon Nakhon 47000, ThailandDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandThis research examines temporary external fixators (TEF) with four screw plate configurations following segmental mandibulectomy. A new design for a screw plate accommodating 2 to 4 bicortical screws (2.4 mm each) is proposed. Biomechanical reliability is assessed using finite element analysis (FEA) and compared with the Schanz screws. A mandibular model was created with cortical and cancellous bones segmented by threshold method. The screw plate, designed in SolidWorks, featured a 12 mm inter-hole distance, 2.0 mm thickness, and 2.4 mm screws. Structural analysis was performed in ANSYS using literature-based mechanical properties. A mesh convergence test with a 0.33 mm mesh size and 1,005,000 elements had a solution time of 205 seconds, with a relative error under 0.161%. Static structural behavior of the Left Unilateral Molar Clench (LMOL) was also analyzed. The 3-screw plate showed superior biomechanical performance, with maximum von Mises stress at 293.38 MPa, von Mises strain at 23.57 m/mm, and total deformation at 0.5915 mm. Topology optimization revealed that the 50% mass configuration is the most effective among the 40% to 60% mass range. This configuration achieved a 2.31% decrease in Maximum von Mises stress, and a 16.99% reduction in total deformation.http://jase.tku.edu.tw/articles/jase-202511-28-11-0003finite elementbiomechanicstemporary external fixatormandibular reconstructionstructural analysis
spellingShingle Rungsan Chaiyachet
Surasith Piyasin
Weerayut Jina
Teerawat Paipongna
Apichart Boonma
Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
Journal of Applied Science and Engineering
finite element
biomechanics
temporary external fixator
mandibular reconstruction
structural analysis
title Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
title_full Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
title_fullStr Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
title_full_unstemmed Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
title_short Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Temporary External Fixator (TEF) in Mandibular Reconstruction
title_sort finite element analysis of a novel temporary external fixator tef in mandibular reconstruction
topic finite element
biomechanics
temporary external fixator
mandibular reconstruction
structural analysis
url http://jase.tku.edu.tw/articles/jase-202511-28-11-0003
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AT weerayutjina finiteelementanalysisofanoveltemporaryexternalfixatortefinmandibularreconstruction
AT teerawatpaipongna finiteelementanalysisofanoveltemporaryexternalfixatortefinmandibularreconstruction
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