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Background One of the most recent innovations in bone augmentation surgery is represented by computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacturing (CAD/CAM) customized titanium meshes, which can be used to restore vertical bone defects before implant-prosthetic rehabilitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness/reliability of this technique in a consecutive series of cases. Methods Ten patients in need of bone augmentation before implant therapy were treated using CAD/CAM customized titanium meshes. A digital workflow was adopted to design virtual meshes on 3D bone models. Then, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology was used to produce the titanium meshes, and vertical ridge augmentation was performed according to an established surgical protocol. Surgical complications, healing complications, vertical bone gain (VBG), planned bone volume (PBV), lacking bone volume (LBV), regenerated bone volume (RBV), average regeneration rate (RR) and implant success rate were evaluated. Results All augmented sites were successfully restored with definitive implant-supported fixed partial dentures. Measurements showed an average VBG of 4.5 ± 1.8 mm at surgical re-entry. Surgical and healing complications occurred in 30% and 10% of cases, respectively. Mean values of PBV, LBV, and RBV were 984, 92, and 892 mm3, respectively. The average RR achieved was 89%. All 26 implants were successfully in function after 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the bone augmentation by means of DMLS custom-made titanium meshes can be considered a reliable and effective technique in restoring vertical bone defects.

Bone augmentation procedures represent a real clinical challenge. One option is the use of titanium meshes. Additive manufacturing techniques can provide custom-made devices in titanium alloy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the material used, which can influence the outcomes of the bone augmentation procedure. Specific test samples were obtained from two different manufacturers with two different shapes: surfaces without perforations and with calibrated perforations. Three-point bending tests were run as well as internal friction tests to verify the Young’s modulus. Test samples were placed in two different buffered solutions and analyzed with optical microscopy. A further SEM analysis was done to observe any microstructural modification. Three-point flexural tests were conducted on 12 specimens. Initial bending was observed at lower applied stresses for the perforated samples (503 MPa) compared to non-perforated ones (900 MPa), the ultimate flexural strength was registered at 513 MPa and 1145 MPa for perforated and non-perforated samples, respectively. Both microscopic analyses (optical and SEM) showed no significant alterations. Conclusions: A normal masticatory load cannot modify the device. Chemical action in the case of exposure does not create macroscopic and microscopic alterations of the surface.

Objective. To analyze the results of using titanium meshes for anterior fusion in spinal reconstruction in pediatric patients. Material and Methods. Design: A retrospective cohort study from 2011 to 2014. Spinal reconstruction in 108 patients aged 8 months to 17 years was performed with titanium meshes filled with bone autografts. The indications for surgery were Pott’s disease (n = 41), non-specific chronic spondylitis and its sequences (n = 42), spinal tumors (n = 11) and congenital spinal deformities (n = 6). Additional posterior instrumentation was carried out in case of multilevel spinal reconstruction or for spinal deformity. Clinical and radiological FU results were evaluated at the 6, 12, 18 months after surgery with the analy- sis of infection reactivation risk, changes in the apical Cobb angle and dynamics of block formation in anterior fusion zone. Results. No cases of infection reactivation or process aggravation were detected during 6 months after surgery. Two pa- tients (with TB spondylitis and giant cell tumor) had deterioration of vertebral destruction with mesh instability in the period from 6 to 12 months after surgery. No one case of mesh stability preservation was associated with deformity pro- gression. Solid bone block was formed in 97 % of operated patients at 12 months after surgery. Conclusion. Using of meshes in reconstructive surgery on the spine in children does not increase the rate of postoperative complications even in infectious spondylitis, due to biological inertia of the non-resorbable material.

Platinum based binary and ternary catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition onto a titanium mesh and were evaluated for the anodic oxidation of methanol. The binary Pt:Ru catalyst with a composition of 1:1 gave the highest performance for methanol oxidation at 80� C. The effect of temperature and time for thermal decomposition was optimized with respect to methanol oxidation, and the catalysts were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The best catalyst was evaluated in a single fuel cell, and the effect of methanol concentration, temperature, and oxygen/air flow was studied. The mesh-based fuel cell, operating at 80�C with 1 mol dm 3 methanol, gave maximum power densities of 38 mWcm -2 and 22 mWcm -2 with 1 bar (gauge) oxygen and air, respectively. � 2010 by ASME.