Computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) systems have become one of the most important and challenging types of system in clinical orthopedics, as they enable precise treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, employing modern clinical navigation systems and surgical tools. This paper brings a comprehensive review of recent trends and possibilities of CAOS systems. There are three types of the surgical planning systems, including: systems based on the volumetric images (computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound images), further systems utilize either 2D or 3D fluoroscopic images, and the last one utilizes the kinetic information about the joints and morphological information about the target bones. This complex review is focused on three fundamental aspects of CAOS systems: their essential components, types of CAOS systems, and mechanical tools used in CAOS systems. In this review, we also outline the possibilities for using ultrasound computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (UCAOS) systems as an alternative to conventionally used CAOS systems.

The aim of the paper is to design, manufacture, and test an off-axis composite profile of circular cross-section. Composite profile based on continuous carbon fibers reinforcing the onyx matrix, i.e., a matrix that consists of nylon and micro carbon fibers, was produced by fused deposition modeling (FDM) method. A buckling test of the six printed composite specimens was performed on a tensile test machine. The values of the experiment were compared with the values of the computational simulation using the Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The mean value of the experimentally determined critical force at which the composite profile failed was 3102 N, while the value of the critical force by FEM analysis was calculated to be 2879 N. Thus, reliability of the simulation to determine the critical force differed from the experimental procedure by only 7%. FEM analysis revealed that the primary failure of 3D printed composite parts was not due to loss of stability, but due to material failure. With great accuracy, the results of the comparison show that it is possible to predict the mechanical properties of 3D printed composite laminates on the basis of a theoretical model.

This paper deals with a structural design of a mold for making a composite ring of external circular fixator used in medical applications. It also focuses on the choice of technology and material for the production of a fixator ring. Due to the high demands on the quality, appearance, material of the product and higher series production, prepreg compression molding was chosen for this purpose. Thanks to this sophisticated production process, the high quality and accuracy of the ring can be achieved. The starting material for the production of composite components is a layer of resinsaturated fibers, abbreviated prepreg. This blank is cut on a CNC plotter and embedded into a mold for molding. The aluminium mold is provided with a separator and a filler of pores. The result of this contribution is the design of the mold to obtain the resulting product of the required mechanical properties, functional requirements and appearance KEYWORDS Composite ring, external fixator, mold design, prepreg compression molding, aluminium mold

This paper deals with problems connected with defects in polymer composite materials and the causes of their occurrences. The microstructure of polymeric materials with carbon and hybrid (carbon / aramid) reinforcement with an epoxy matrix is examined. The evaluation of the microstructures of the two types of composites was performed with the aid of a scanning electron microscope, as well as a 3D light microscope. Defects (dry spots, bubbles, pores,…) in the structure of the material significantly affect its properties, and the question of their elimination is also considered. In order to achieve the most favourable physical and mechanical properties, the production method for the composite materials is important. While preparing test samples, it was used manual lamination technology, where 45% volume fraction of fibre reinforcement could be achieved in the technological regularities.

An application of the osteosynthesis fixator as a surgical method for the large bone treatment has been deeply described during the last 70 years [Solomin 2012]. Even the design using composite material is available at the market. Nevertheless, the interconnection of the main requirements including lightweight, adequate stiffness and adjustability around the tibia bone is the next step in external fixator improvement. Thus, the overall aim of this study is the innovation of this device with the subsequent analytical verification using finite element method. Due to these requirements, innovative external fixator has been developed and further optimized with structural analysis and surgeons´ requirements as well. The final improved design of osteosynthesis device with the analytical confirmation using finite element method has been manufactured and this state of the art further serve for experimental verification.