An Interlocking Ligamentous Spinal Disk Arthroplasty with Neural Network Infrastructure

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 55-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Boughton ◽  
James Merhebi ◽  
C. Kim ◽  
G. Roger ◽  
Ashish D. Diwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Axial Compression ◽  
Wire Array ◽  
Axial Strain ◽  
Compressive Strain ◽  
Niti Wire ◽  
Motion Segment ◽  
Flexion Extension

An elastomeric spinal disk prosthesis design (BioFI™) with vertebral interlocking anchors has been modified using an embedded TiNi wire array. Bioinert styrenic block copolymer (Kraton®) and polycarbonate urethane (Bionate®) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) matrices were utilized. Fatigue resistant NiTi wire was pretreated to induce superelastic martensitic microstructure. Stent-like helical structures were produced for incorporation within homogenous TPE matrix. Composite prototypes were fabricated in a vacuum hot press using transfer moulding techniques. Implant prototypes were subject to axial compression using a BOSE ® ELF3400. The NiTi reinforced implants exhibited reduction in axial strain, compliance, and creep compared to TPE controls. The axial properties of the NiTi reinforced Bionate® BioFI™ implant best approximated those of a spinal disk followed by Kraton®-NiTi, Bionate® and Kraton® prototypes. An ovine lumbar segment biomechanical model was used to characterize the disk prosthesis prototypes. Specimens were subject to 7.5Nm pure moments in axial rotation, flexion-extension and lateral bending with a custom jig mounted on an Instron® 8874. The motion preserving ligamentous nature of this arthroplasty prototype was not inhibited by NiTi reinforcement. Joint stiffness for all prototypes was significantly less than the intact and discectomy controls. This was due to lack of vertebral anchor rigidity rather than BioFI™ motion segment matrix type or reinforcement. Implant stress profiles for axial compression and axial torsion conditions were obtained using finite element methods. The biomechanical testing and finite element modelling both support existing BioFI™ design specifications for higher modulus vertebral anchors, endplates and motion segment periphery with gradation to a low modulus core within the motion segment. This closer approximation of the native spinal disk form translates to improvements in prosthesis biomechanical fidelity and longevity. Axial compressive strain induced within a TiNi reinforced Kraton® BioFI™ was found to be linearly proportional to the NiTi helical coil electrical resistance. This neural network capability delivers opportunities to monitor and telemeterize in situ multiaxis joint structural performance and in vivo spine biomechanics.

Effect of a Degenerated C5-C6 Disc on the Biomechanics of Adjacent Levels: A Poroelastic Finite Element Investigation

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mozammil Hussain ◽  
Raghu N. Natarajan ◽  
Gunnar B. J. Andersson ◽  
Howard S. An
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Axial Strain ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Fe Method ◽  
Regional Effect ◽  
In Vitro Techniques

Degenerative changes in the cervical spine due to aging are very common causes of neck pain in general population. Although many investigators have quantified the gross morphological changes in the disc with progressive degeneration, the biomechanical changes due to degenerative pathologies of the disc and its effect on the adjacent levels are not well understood. Despite many in vivo and in vitro techniques used to study such complex phenomena, the finite element (FE) method is still a powerful tool to investigate the internal mechanics and complex clinical situations under various physiological loadings particularly when large numbers of parameters are involved. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a poroelastic FE model of a healthy C3-T1 segment of the cervical spine under physiologic moment loads. The model included the regional effect of change in the fixed charged density of proteoglycan concentration and change in the permeability and porosity due to change in the axial strain of disc tissues. The model was further modified to include various degrees of disc degeneration at the C5-C6 level. Outcomes of this study provided a better understanding on the progression of degeneration along the cervical spine by investigating the biomechanical response of the adjacent segments with an intermediate degenerated C5-C6 level.

Investigation of Vibration Characteristics of the Ligamentous Lumbar Spine Using the Finite Element Approach

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay K. Goel ◽  
Hosang Park ◽  
Weizeng Kong
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Resonant Frequency ◽  
Cyclic Load ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Flexion Extension

A nonlinear, three-dimensional finite element model of the ligamentous L4-SI segment was developed to analyze the dynamic response of the spine in the absence of damping. The effects of the upper body mass were simulated by including a mass of 40 kg on the L4 vertebral body. The modal analyses of the model indicated a resonant frequency of 17.5 Hz in axial mode and 3.8 Hz in flexion-extension mode. Accordingly, the predicted responses for the cyclic load of −400 ± 40 N applied at four different frequencies (5, 11, 16.5, and 25 Hz) were compared with the corresponding results for axial compressive static loads (−360, and −440 N). As compared to the static load cases, the predicted responses were higher for the cyclic loading. For example, the effect of cyclic load at 11 Hz was to produce significant changes (9.7 – 19.0 percent) in stresses, loads transmitted through the facets, intradiscal pressure (IDP), disk bulge, as compared to the static load predictions. The responses were found to be frequency dependent as well; supporting the in vivo observations of other investigators that the human spine has a resonant frequency. For example, the 11 Hz model (DYN11) compared to the DYN5 model showed an increase in majority of the predicted parameters. The parameters showed an increase with frequency until 17.5 Hz (resonant frequency of the model); thereafter a decrease at 25 Hz. A chronic change in these parameters, especially at the resonant frequency, beyond the “base” values may trigger the bone remodeling process leading to spinal degeneration/disorders associated with chronic vibration exposure. Future directions for extending the present model as a complement to the experimental investigations are also discussed.

scholarly journals Subject-Specific Inverse Dynamics of the Head and Cervical Spine During in Vivo Dynamic Flexion-Extension

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Anderst ◽  
William F. Donaldson ◽  
Joon Y. Lee ◽  
James D. Kang
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Total Force ◽  
Finite Element Models ◽  
Moment Arms ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Subject Specific

The effects of degeneration and surgery on cervical spine mechanics are commonly evaluated through in vitro testing and finite element models derived from these tests. The objectives of the current study were to estimate the load applied to the C2 vertebra during in vivo functional flexion-extension and to evaluate the effects of anterior cervical arthrodesis on spine kinetics. Spine and head kinematics from 16 subjects (six arthrodesis patients and ten asymptomatic controls) were determined during functional flexion-extension using dynamic stereo X-ray and conventional reflective markers. Subject-specific inverse dynamics models, including three flexor muscles and four extensor muscles attached to the skull, estimated the force applied to C2. Total force applied to C2 was not significantly different between arthrodesis and control groups at any 10 deg increment of head flexion-extension (all p values ≥ 0.937). Forces applied to C2 were smallest in the neutral position, increased slowly with flexion, and increased rapidly with extension. Muscle moment arms changed significantly during flexion-extension, and were dependent upon the direction of head motion. The results suggest that in vitro protocols and finite element models that apply constant loads to C2 do not accurately represent in vivo cervical spine kinetics.

Lower Cervical Spine Motion Segment Computational Model Validation: Kinematic and Kinetic Response for Quasi-Static and Dynamic Loading

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey B. Barker ◽  
Duane S. Cronin ◽  
Roger W. Nightingale
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Dynamic Loading ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Lower Cervical Spine ◽  
Motion Segment ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Static And Dynamic Loading

Advanced computational human body models (HBM) enabling enhanced safety require verification and validation at different levels or scales. Specifically, the motion segments, which are the building blocks of a detailed neck model, must be validated with representative experimental data to have confidence in segment and, ultimately, full neck model response. In this study, we introduce detailed finite element motion segment models and assess the models for quasi-static and dynamic loading scenarios. Finite element segment models at all levels in the lower human cervical spine were developed from scans of a 26-yr old male subject. Material properties were derived from the in vitro experimental data. The segment models were simulated in quasi-static loading in flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, and at dynamic rates in flexion and extension in comparison to previous experimental studies and new dynamic experimental data introduced in this study. Single-valued experimental data did not provide adequate information to assess the model biofidelity, while application of traditional corridor methods highlighted that data sets with higher variability could lead to an incorrect conclusion of improved model biofidelity. Data sets with continuous or multiple moment–rotation measurements enabled the use of cross-correlation for an objective assessment of the model and highlighted the importance of assessing all motion segments of the lower cervical spine to evaluate the model biofidelity. The presented new segment models of the lower cervical spine, assessed for range of motion and dynamic/traumatic loading scenarios, provide a foundation to construct a biofidelic model of the spine and neck, which can be used to understand and mitigate injury for improved human safety in the future.

scholarly journals Prediction of Stress in Power Transformer Winding Conductors Using Artificial Neural Networks: Hyperparameter Analysis

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4242
Author(s):  
Fausto Valencia ◽  
Hugo Arcos ◽  
Franklin Quilumba
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Power Transformer ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Activation Function ◽  
Neural Network Models ◽  
Transformer Winding ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Femm Software

The purpose of this research is the evaluation of artificial neural network models in the prediction of stresses in a 400 MVA power transformer winding conductor caused by the circulation of fault currents. The models were compared considering the training, validation, and test data errors’ behavior. Different combinations of hyperparameters were analyzed based on the variation of architectures, optimizers, and activation functions. The data for the process was created from finite element simulations performed in the FEMM software. The design of the Artificial Neural Network was performed using the Keras framework. As a result, a model with one hidden layer was the best suited architecture for the problem at hand, with the optimizer Adam and the activation function ReLU. The final Artificial Neural Network model predictions were compared with the Finite Element Method results, showing good agreement but with a much shorter solution time.

scholarly journals The biomechanical effect on the adjacent L4/L5 segment of S1 superior facet arthroplasty: a finite element analysis for the male spine

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zewen Shi ◽  
Lin Shi ◽  
Xianjun Chen ◽  
Jiangtao Liu ◽  
Haihao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Adjacent Segment ◽  
Finite Element Models ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Biomechanical Effect ◽  
Lumbar Range Of Motion

Abstract Background The superior facet arthroplasty is important for intervertebral foramen microscopy. To our knowledge, there is no study about the postoperative biomechanics of adjacent L4/L5 segments after different methods of S1 superior facet arthroplasty. To evaluate the effect of S1 superior facet arthroplasty on lumbar range of motion and disc stress of adjacent segment (L4/L5) under the intervertebral foraminoplasty. Methods Eight finite element models (FEMs) of lumbosacral vertebrae (L4/S) had been established and validated. The S1 superior facet arthroplasty was simulated with different methods. Then, the models were imported into Nastran software after optimization; 500 N preload was imposed on the L4 superior endplate, and 10 N⋅m was given to simulate flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. The range of motion (ROM) and intervertebral disc stress of the L4-L5 spine were recorded. Results The ROM and disc stress of L4/L5 increased with the increasing of the proportions of S1 superior facet arthroplasty. Compared with the normal model, the ROM of L4/L5 significantly increased in most directions of motion when S1 superior facet formed greater than 3/5 from the ventral to the dorsal or 2/5 from the apex to the base. The disc stress of L4/L5 significantly increased in most directions of motion when S1 superior facet formed greater than 3/5 from the ventral to the dorsal or 1/5 from the apex to the base. Conclusion In this study, the ROM and disc stress of L4/L5 were affected by the unilateral S1 superior facet arthroplasty. It is suggested that the forming range from the ventral to the dorsal should be less than 3/5 of the S1 upper facet joint. It is not recommended to form from apex to base. Level of evidence Level IV

scholarly journals Machine learning estimation of tissue optical properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett H. Hokr ◽  
Joel N. Bixler
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Homogeneous Layer ◽  
In Vivo Measurement ◽  
Tissue Optical Properties ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Fully Connected

AbstractDynamic, in vivo measurement of the optical properties of biological tissues is still an elusive and critically important problem. Here we develop a technique for inverting a Monte Carlo simulation to extract tissue optical properties from the statistical moments of the spatio-temporal response of the tissue by training a 5-layer fully connected neural network. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method across a very wide parameter space on a single homogeneous layer tissue model and demonstrate that the method is insensitive to parameter selection of the neural network model itself. Finally, we propose an experimental setup capable of measuring the required information in real time in an in vivo environment and demonstrate proof-of-concept level experimental results.

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