Cranial implant with plates

Summary

Currently when patients undergo neurosurgery, the portion of skull that is removed to access the brain is replaced at the conclusion of the surgery with a cranial implant or the original bone flap. The implant or flap is held rigidly in place to the surrounding bone using titanium plates and screws to prevent micromotion and protect the brain. Because of their non-anatomical profile on top of the skull, the plates and screws can lead to social stigma and serve as a constant visual reminder of trauma to the patient. The plates and screws can be painful to the touch and even protrude through the thin, overlaying scalp, necessitating a repeat surgery. Our team worked with Dr. Chad Gordon to develop a new, reduced-profile fixation method for cranial implants.  

Team

  • Cristina Romany, junior in Materials Science & Engineering 
  • Julie Cui, senior in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 
  • Owen Friesen, junior in Mechanical Engineering 

Project Partner

  • Dr. Chad Gordon, Director of Neuroplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine 

* For IP reasons, the team’s video cannot be publicly posted yet, but please check back in the future.