Biomedical Engineer Evaluates Metallic Mesh Failure Following Use in Surgery

ByVictoria Negron

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Updated onMay 1, 2018

Biomedical Engineer Evaluates Metallic Mesh Failure Following Use in Surgery

This case involves a female patient who went in for minor sternum surgery. As the surgery came to a close, there ended up being a much larger void than originally expected. A colleague of the attending surgeon recommended using neuro mesh (developed for use in cranioplasty procedures) to close the void. The mesh worked well for the procedure but subsequently fractured. The patient required additional surgeries to resolve the issue. A biomedical engineering expert was sought to opine on the structural integrity of neuro mesh when placed in a more mobile part of the body.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Have you worked with neuro mesh like the one described?

2. How does a neuro mesh like the one described perform on more mobile parts of the body?

Expert Witness Response E-073602

inline imageI have my B.S. in biomedical engineering and my Ph.D. in material science and engineering. My doctoral research involved modeling traumatic brain injury in cultured rat neurons. I designed and developed a device for delivering the appropriate mechanical forces necessary to simulate traumatic brain injury in a dish. Subsequently, I am well-versed in traumatic brain injury from a biomechanical point of view and the body of literature that accompanies this field (i.e. forces experienced during a traumatic event, head movements and speeds related to traumatic events, and outcomes of such events). Currently, I serve as a biomechanics professor at a where I teach students mechanical principals and their relationship with anatomy and how to analyze these forces. It would be fundamental to apply these skills to an analysis of the neuro mesh. Depending on the specific material properties of the mesh I would first predict modes of failure in this product's design and also the strength of the material used. I would use this analysis along with an analysis of the range of motion and forces generated in the region that the implant resided. I believe that given an inflexible enough material it is likely that the neuro mesh would be subject to failure if implanted in a very mobile part of the body.

About the author

Victoria Negron

Victoria Negron

Victoria Negron has extensive experience in journalism and thought leadership in the legal space, with a background crafting content, whitepapers, webinars, and current event articles pertaining to the role of expert witnesses in complex litigation matters. She is a skilled professional specializing in B2B product marketing and content marketing. Currently, she serves as an Enterprise Product Marketing Manager at Postman, and previously held the position of Technical Product Marketing Manager at Palantir Technologies, where she developed her skills in launch strategies, go-to-market strategy, and competitive analysis.

Her expertise in content marketing was further refined during her tenure at the Expert Institute, where she progressed from a Marketing Writer to Senior Content Marketing Manager, and eventually to Associate Director of Content & Product Marketing. In these roles, she honed her abilities in digital marketing, SEO, content strategy, and thought leadership.

Educationally, Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Art, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. Her diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped her with a robust skill set in product marketing, content development, and strategic marketing initiatives.

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