scholarly journals Development of a Detailed Volumetric Finite Element Model of the Spine to Simulate Surgical Correction of Spinal Deformities

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Driscoll ◽  
Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong ◽  
Hubert Labelle ◽  
Stefan Parent

A large spectrum of medical devices exists; it aims to correct deformities associated with spinal disorders. The development of a detailed volumetric finite element model of the osteoligamentous spine would serve as a valuable tool to assess, compare, and optimize spinal devices. Thus the purpose of the study was to develop and initiate validation of a detailed osteoligamentous finite element model of the spine with simulated correction from spinal instrumentation. A finite element of the spine from T1 to L5 was developed using properties and geometry from the published literature and patient data. Spinal instrumentation, consisting of segmental translation of a scoliotic spine, was emulated. Postoperative patient and relevant published data of intervertebral disc stress, screw/vertebra pullout forces, and spinal profiles was used to evaluate the models validity. Intervertebral disc and vertebral reaction stresses respected publishedin vivo,ex vivo, andin silicovalues. Screw/vertebra reaction forces agreed with accepted pullout threshold values. Cobb angle measurements of spinal deformity following simulated surgical instrumentation corroborated with patient data. This computational biomechanical analysis validated a detailed volumetric spine model. Future studies seek to exploit the model to explore the performance of corrective spinal devices.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengbo Niu ◽  
Jinyi Bai ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Dongsheng Zhang ◽  
Jianghong Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Bacground: It is of great significance to optimize the finite element model by spinal flexibility of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. The elastic modulus of the intervertebral disc is of critical importance in determining the overall flexibility of the spine. The aim of the present study was to optimize the finite element model of Lenke 1 AIS based on the dynamic flexibility in vivo by matching the optimal elastic modulus of the intervertebral disc.Methods: The Cobb angles under different longitudinal traction loads of one patient with Lenke 1 AIS were dynamically measured by using a spine morphometer with a posture sensor to plot the Cobb angle-longitudinal traction load characteristic curve. A 3D finite element model of the patient was established. The patient’s Cobb angle-longitudinal traction load characteristic curve was used as the dynamic flexibility in vivo to determine the optimal intervertebral disc elastic modulus of the model. Results: The dynamic flexibility curve in vivo of one Lenke 1 AIS patient was successfully obtained, and the patient’s optimal elastic modulus of the intervertebral disc for the finite element model was 5 MPa according to the dynamic flexibility curve in vivo.Conclusions: The use of dynamic flexibility in vivo to optimize the finite element model can provide a new perspective and approach for model optimization, which can reproduce the biomechanical characteristics in vivo of AIS patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Zhang ◽  
Shuo Yuan ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Bagen Liao ◽  
De Liang

Abstract Background Recent studies have pointed out that arthroscopy, the commonly-used surgical procedure for meniscal tears, may lead to an elevated risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The biomechanical factors of KOA can be clarified by the biomechanical analysis after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). This study aimed to elucidate the cartilage stress and meniscus displacement of the tibiofemoral joint under flexion and rotation loads after APM. Methods A detailed finite element model of the knee bone, cartilage, meniscus, and major ligaments was established by combining computed tomography and magnetic resonance images. Vertical load and front load were applied to simulate different knee buckling angles. At the same time, by simulating flexion of different degrees and internal and external rotations, the stresses on tibiofemoral articular cartilage and meniscus displacement were evaluated. Results Generally, the contact stress on both the femoral tibial articular cartilage and the meniscus increased with the increased flexion degree. Moreover, the maximum stress on the tibial plateau gradually moved backward. The maximum position shift value of the lateral meniscus was larger than that of the medial meniscus. Conclusion Our finite element model provides a realistic three-dimensional model to evaluate the influence of different joint range of motion and rotating tibiofemoral joint stress distribution. The decreased displacement of the medial meniscus may explain the higher pressure on the knee components. These characteristics of the medial tibiofemoral joint indicate the potential biomechanical risk of knee degeneration.


Author(s):  
Sean M. Finley ◽  
J. Harley Astin ◽  
Evan Joyce ◽  
Andrew T. Dailey ◽  
Douglas L. Brockmeyer ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE The underlying biomechanical differences between the pediatric and adult cervical spine are incompletely understood. Computational spine modeling can address that knowledge gap. Using a computational method known as finite element modeling, the authors describe the creation and evaluation of a complete pediatric cervical spine model. METHODS Using a thin-slice CT scan of the cervical spine from a 5-year-old boy, a 3D model was created for finite element analysis. The material properties and boundary and loading conditions were created and model analysis performed using open-source software. Because the precise material properties of the pediatric cervical spine are not known, a published parametric approach of scaling adult properties by 50%, 25%, and 10% was used. Each scaled finite element model (FEM) underwent two types of simulations for pediatric cadaver testing (axial tension and cardinal ranges of motion [ROMs]) to assess axial stiffness, ROM, and facet joint force (FJF). The authors evaluated the axial stiffness and flexion-extension ROM predicted by the model using previously published experimental measurements obtained from pediatric cadaveric tissues. RESULTS In the axial tension simulation, the model with 50% adult ligamentous and annulus material properties predicted an axial stiffness of 49 N/mm, which corresponded with previously published data from similarly aged cadavers (46.1 ± 9.6 N/mm). In the flexion-extension simulation, the same 50% model predicted an ROM that was within the range of the similarly aged cohort of cadavers. The subaxial FJFs predicted by the model in extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were in the range of 1–4 N and, as expected, tended to increase as the ligament and disc material properties decreased. CONCLUSIONS A pediatric cervical spine FEM was created that accurately predicts axial tension and flexion-extension ROM when ligamentous and annulus material properties are reduced to 50% of published adult properties. This model shows promise for use in surgical simulation procedures and as a normal comparison for disease-specific FEMs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1264-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent L. Showalter ◽  
John F. DeLucca ◽  
John M. Peloquin ◽  
Daniel H. Cortes ◽  
Jonathon H. Yoder ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 030006052097207
Author(s):  
Jing Ding ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Fangchun Jin ◽  
Zhen-kai Wu ◽  
Pin-quan Shen

Objective Tension band plating has recently gained widespread acceptance as a method of correcting angular limb deformities in skeletally immature patients. We examined the role of biomechanics in procedural failure and devised a new method of reducing the rate of implant failure. Methods In the biomechanical model, afterload (static or cyclic) was applied to each specimen. The residual stress of the screw combined with different screw sizes and configurations were measured and compared by X-ray diffraction. With regard to static load and similar conditions, the stress distribution was analyzed according to a three-dimensional finite element model. Results The residual stress was close to zero in the static tension group, whereas it was very high in the cyclic load group. The residual stress of screws was significantly lower in the convergent group and parallel group than in the divergent group. The finite element model showed similar results. Conclusions In both the finite element analysis and biomechanical tests, the maximum stress of the screw was concentrated at the position where the screws enter the cortex. Cyclic loading is the primary cause of implant failure.


Author(s):  
M Barink ◽  
A van Kampen ◽  
M de Waal Malefijt ◽  
N Verdonschot

For testing purposes of prostheses at a preclinical stage, it is very valuable to have a generic modelling tool, which can be used to optimize implant features and to avoid poor designs being launched on to the market. The modelling tool should be fast, efficient, and multipurpose in nature; a finite element model is well suited to the purpose. The question posed in this study was whether it was possible to develop a mathematically fast and stable dynamic finite element model of a knee joint after total knee arthroplasty that would predict data comparable with published data in terms of (a) laxities and ligament behaviour, and (b) joint kinematics. The soft tissue structures were modelled using a relatively simple, but very stable, composite model consisting of a band reinforced with fibres. Ligament recruitment and balancing was tested with laxity simulations. The tibial and patellar kinematics were simulated during flexion-extension. An implicit mathematical formulation was used. Joint kinematics, joint laxities, and ligament recruitment patterns were predicted realistically. The kinematics were very reproducible and stable during consecutive flexion-extension cycles. Hence, the model is suitable for the evaluation of prosthesis design, prosthesis alignment, ligament behaviour, and surgical parameters with respect to the biomechanical behaviour of the knee.


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