An automated workflow for the biomechanical simulation of a tibia with implant using computed tomography and the finite element method

In this study, a fully automated workflow is presented for the biomechanical simulation of bone–implant systems using the example of a fractured tibia. The workflow is based on routinely acquired tomographic data and consists of an automatic segmentation and material assignment, followed by a mesh g...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers & mathematics with applications (1987) 2015-09, Vol.70 (5), p.903-916
Main Authors: Dahmen, T., Roland, M., Tjardes, T., Bouillon, B., Slusallek, P., Diebels, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive volume-mesh generation
Automation
Computer simulation
Finite element method
Fractured tibia with implant
Hanging nodes
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Patient-specific simulations
Surgical implants
Tibia
Workflow
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this study, a fully automated workflow is presented for the biomechanical simulation of bone–implant systems using the example of a fractured tibia. The workflow is based on routinely acquired tomographic data and consists of an automatic segmentation and material assignment, followed by a mesh generation step and, finally, a mechanical simulation using the finite element method (FEM). Because of the high computational costs of the FEM simulations, an adaptive mesh refinement scheme was developed that limits the highest resolution to materials that can take large amounts of mechanical stress. The scheme was analyzed and it was shown that it has no relevant impact on the simulation precision. Thus, a fully automatic, reliable and computationally feasible method to simulate mechanical properties of bone–implant systems was presented, which can be used for numerous applications, ranging from the design of patient-specific implants to surgery preparation and post-surgery implant verification.
ISSN:0898-1221
1873-7668
DOI:10.1016/j.camwa.2015.06.009