Bone plates, screws and screwdriver for reconstructive surgery, United States, 1996

Titanium alloy bioplate, screws and cam tightener, by Codman, Johnson & Johnson, United States, 1996. Used for facial reconstruction (see note).

Used for reconstructive surgery of the face, these bone plates, screws and screwdriver are made from an alloy of titanium. The plates are known as bioplates and are used specifically to stabilise the skull. The mesh material can also be manipulated over 3-D shapes.

Materials like titanium are used for internal surgery as the human body does not recognise them and so the immune system will not reject implants made from them.