Fig. 1

The cranial implant window chamber (CIWC) developed to study peri-implant vascularization and osteogenesis intravitally and longitudinally. a The cruciate Ti implant (4 mm in diameter) provided four distinct healing volumes that were selected as ROIs to examine microvascular growth and bone healing dynamics (Note: The central hole was designed to aid implant production and handling, as described in the text). b Photograph of the CIWC surgically implanted in the calvaria of a living mouse. The cover-slip window was fixed peripherally with dental restorative material (white), stabilizing the implant in the defect. c, d A schematic demonstrating a mouse on the heated microscope stage. The head was immobilized by a custom-made metallic restrainer above and modeling clay below to minimize motion artifacts during intravital optical imaging. e The experimental timeline from the day of the surgery showing the subsequent imaging time points