Development of patient-specific orbital floor implants made of shape memory alloys

Fractures of the orbit may be occurring by blunt trauma to the eye, for example, in traffic, work and sports accidents. The treatment of orbital floor defects is often done surgically by use of implants from rigid materials such as titanium, which are inserted in the eye socket through an open approach on the lower eyelid [1]. The implants should support the defect bone, keep the eyeball in place and allow the attachment of new tissue cells. The implants can be produced individually by the manufacturer or metal meshes can be adapted by the surgeon during the surgical intervention. The new approach is to implant an artificial orbital floor into the body in compressed form over relatively small approaches. Arriving at the fracture position, it develops self-reliantly in the previously memorized shape.