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Porous composite prosthetic pylon for integration with skin and bone

Mark Pitkin, PhD, et al.

Figure. Minimal force needed for detachment of skin cell from pylon.

We aimed to develop a strong porous pylon that could integrate with the surrounding skin and create a natural barrier against the infection associated with direct skeletal attachment of limb prostheses. Mathematical modeling and mechanical tests determined how strong the porous pylon needed to be to approximate the strength of anatomical bone. In an animal study, we implanted rats with either a porous or solid titanium pylon. Our mechanical tests confirmed that the strength of the porous pylon was in the specified range, and electronic scanning and morphological analysis demonstrated clear integration of the porous pylon with the surrounding skin. Direct skeletal attachment, if made infection-free, would improve the outcomes of prosthetic management for people with limb amputations.


Volume 44 Number 5 2007
Pages 723 — 738

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