Development and Validation of Patient-Specific Finite Element Models of the Hemipelvis Generated From a Sparse CT Data Set

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vickie B. Shim ◽  
Rocco P. Pitto ◽  
Robert M. Streicher ◽  
Peter J. Hunter ◽  
Iain A. Anderson

To produce a patient-specific finite element (FE) model of a bone such as the pelvis, a complete computer tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) geometric data set is desirable. However, most patient data are limited to a specific region of interest such as the acetabulum. We have overcome this problem by providing a hybrid method that is capable of generating accurate FE models from sparse patient data sets. In this paper, we have validated our technique with mechanical experiments. Three cadaveric embalmed pelves were strain gauged and used in mechanical experiments. FE models were generated from the CT scans of the pelves. Material properties for cancellous bone were obtained from the CT scans and assigned to the FE mesh using a spatially varying field embedded inside the mesh while other materials used in the model were obtained from the literature. Although our FE meshes have large elements, the spatially varying field allowed them to have location dependent inhomogeneous material properties. For each pelvis, five different FE meshes with a varying number of patient CT slices (8–12) were generated to determine how many patient CT slices are needed for good accuracy. All five mesh types showed good agreement between the model and experimental strains. Meshes generated with incomplete data sets showed very similar stress distributions to those obtained from the FE mesh generated with complete data sets. Our modeling approach provides an important step in advancing the application of FE models from the research environment to the clinical setting.

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lambert Speelman ◽  
Ajay Bohra ◽  
E. Marielle H. Bosboom ◽  
Geert Willem H. Schurink ◽  
Frans N. van de Vosse ◽  
...  

It is generally acknowledged that rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the stress acting on the wall over the cardiac cycle exceeds the strength of the wall. Peak wall stress computations appear to give a more accurate rupture risk assessment than AAA diameter, which is currently used for a diagnose. Despite the numerous studies utilizing patient-specific wall stress modeling of AAAs, none investigated the effect of wall calcifications on wall stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of calcifications on patient-specific finite element stress computations. In addition, we assessed whether the effect of calcifications could be predicted directly from the CT-scans by relating the effect to the amount of calcification present in the AAA wall. For 6 AAAs, the location and extent of calcification was identified from CT-scans. A finite element model was created for each AAA and the areas of calcification were defined node-wise in the mesh of the model. Comparisons are made between maximum principal stress distributions, computed without calcifications and with calcifications with varying material properties. Peak stresses are determined from the stress results and related to a calcification index (CI), a quantification of the amount of calcification in the AAA wall. At calcification sites, local stresses increased, leading to a peak stress increase of 22% in the most severe case. Our results displayed a weak correlation between the CI and the increase in peak stress. Additionally, the results showed a marked influence of the calcification elastic modulus on computed stresses. Inclusion of calcifications in finite element analysis of AAAs resulted in a marked alteration of the stress distributions and should therefore be included in rupture risk assessment. The results also suggest that the location and shape of the calcified regions—not only the relative amount—are considerations that influence the effect on AAA wall stress. The dependency of the effect of the wall stress on the calcification elastic modulus points out the importance of determination of the material properties of calcified AAA wall.


2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Anderson ◽  
Christopher L. Peters ◽  
Benjamin D. Tuttle ◽  
Jeffrey A. Weiss

A better understanding of the three-dimensional mechanics of the pelvis, at the patient-specific level, may lead to improved treatment modalities. Although finite element (FE) models of the pelvis have been developed, validation by direct comparison with subject-specific strains has not been performed, and previous models used simplifying assumptions regarding geometry and material properties. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a realistic FE model of the pelvis using subject-specific estimates of bone geometry, location-dependent cortical thickness and trabecular bone elastic modulus, and to assess the sensitivity of FE strain predictions to assumptions regarding cortical bone thickness as well as bone and cartilage material properties. A FE model of a cadaveric pelvis was created using subject-specific computed tomography image data. Acetabular loading was applied to the same pelvis using a prosthetic femoral stem in a fashion that could be easily duplicated in the computational model. Cortical bone strains were monitored with rosette strain gauges in ten locations on the left hemipelvis. FE strain predictions were compared directly with experimental results for validation. Overall, baseline FE predictions were strongly correlated with experimental results (r2=0.824), with a best-fit line that was not statistically different than the line y=x(experimental strains=FEpredicted strains). Changes to cortical bone thickness and elastic modulus had the largest effect on cortical bone strains. The FE model was less sensitive to changes in all other parameters. The methods developed and validated in this study will be useful for creating and analyzing patient-specific FE models to better understand the biomechanics of the pelvis.


Author(s):  
Jami M. Saffioti ◽  
Brittany Coats

Current finite element (FE) models of the pediatric eye are based on adult material properties [2,3]. To date, there are no data characterizing the age dependent material properties of ocular tissues. The sclera is a major load bearing tissue and an essential component to most computational models of the eye. In preparation for the development of a pediatric FE model, age-dependent and anisotropic properties of sclera were evaluated in newborn (3–5 days) and toddler (4 weeks) pigs. Data from this study will guide future testing protocols for human pediatric specimens.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-198
Author(s):  
Philip Westphal ◽  
Sebastian Hilbert ◽  
Michael Unger ◽  
Claire Chalopin

AbstractPlanning of interventions to treat cardiac arrhythmia requires a 3D patient specific model of the heart. Currently available commercial or free software dedicated to this task have important limitations for routinely use. Automatic algorithms are not robust enough while manual methods are time-consuming. Therefore, the project attempts to develop an optimal software tool. The heart model is generated from preoperative MR data-sets acquired with contrast agent and allows visualisation of damaged cardiac tissue. A requirement in the development of the software tool was the use of semi-automatic functions to be more robust. Once the patient image dataset has been loaded, the user selects a region of interest. Thresholding functions allow selecting the areas of high intensities which correspond to anatomical structures filled with contrast agent, namely cardiac cavities and blood vessels. Thereafter, the target-structure, for example the left ventricle, is coarsely selected by interactively outlining the gross shape. An active contour function adjusts automatically the initial contour to the image content. The result can still be manually improved using fast interaction tools. Finally, possible scar tissue located in the cavity muscle is automatically detected and visualized on the 3D heart model. The model is exported in format which is compatible with interventional devices at hospital. The evaluation of the software tool included two steps. Firstly, a comparison with two free software tools was performed on two image data sets of variable quality. Secondly, six scientists and physicians tested our tool and filled out a questionnaire. The performance of our software tool was visually judged more satisfactory than the free software, especially on the data set of lower quality. Professionals evaluated positively our functionalities regarding time taken, ease of use and quality of results. Improvements would consist in performing the planning based on different MR modalities.


Author(s):  
P M Cattaneo ◽  
M Dalstra ◽  
L H Frich

Three-dimensional finite element analysis is one of the best ways to assess stress and strain distributions in complex bone structures. However, accuracy in the results may be achieved only when accurate input information is given. A semi-automated method to generate a finite element (FE) model using data retrieved from computed tomography (CT) was developed. Due to its complex and irregular shape, the glenoid part of a left embalmed scapula bone was chosen as working material. CT data were retrieved using a standard clinical CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Plus 2, Siemens AG, Germany). This was done to produce a method that could later be utilized to generate a patient-specific FE model. Different methods of converting Hounsfield unit (HU) values to apparent densities and subsequently to Young's moduli were tested. All the models obtained were loaded using three-dimensional loading conditions taken from literature, corresponding to an arm abduction of 90°. Additional models with different amounts of elements were generated to verify convergence. Direct comparison between the models showed that the best method to convert HU values directly to apparent densities was to use different equations for cancellous and cortical bone. In this study, a reliable method of determining both geometrical data and bone properties from patient CT scans for the semi-automated generation of an FE model is presented.


2011 ◽  
Vol 223 ◽  
pp. 733-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Linke ◽  
Michael Duscha ◽  
Anh Tuan Vu ◽  
Fritz Klocke

The grinding process is one of the most important finishing processes to obtain high surface quality. Nowadays, grinding is also considered as a high performance process with high material removal rates. Nevertheless, to avoid thermally-induced structural changes poses a major challenge for this manufacturing technology. Until now, the Finite Element Method (FEM) has been widely applied as a proper numerical technique to predict workpiece properties in machining processes. However, actual models in grinding are limited to conventional grinding processes with simple workpiece profiles and low table speeds. In this paper, finite element simulations are expanded to 3-dimensional (3D) models with temperature-dependent material properties and heat source profiles derived from experimental results, i.e. tangential forces. Both temperature simulation and measurement were conducted for deep grinding, pendulum grinding and speed stroke grinding in the table speed range of vw= 12 m/min to 180 m/min and specific material removal rates of Q’w= 40 mm³/mms. Overall, the simulation results show a good agreement with the measured temperature and surface integrity after grinding. This research indicates that a 3D FE model with temperature dependent material properties can predict realistic temperature fields in speed stroke grinding. Therefore, the experiment and measurement costs and time can be reduced by FEM simulation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrun Skaar Holme ◽  
Karin Kilian ◽  
Heidi B. Eggesbø ◽  
Jon Magnus Moen ◽  
Øyvind Molberg

Abstract Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) causes a recurring inflammation in nose and paranasal sinuses that clinically resembles chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) of other aetiologies. While sinonasal inflammation is not among the life-threatening features of GPA, patients report it to have major negative impact on quality of life. A relatively large proportion of GPA patients have severe CRS with extensive damage to nose and sinus structures evident by CT, but risk factors for severe CRS development remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify clinical and radiological predictors of CRS-related damage in GPA.Methods: We included GPA patients who had clinical data sets from time of diagnosis, and two or more paranasal sinus CT scans obtained ≥ 12 months apart available for analysis. We defined time from first to last CT as the study observation period, and evaluated CRS development across this period using CT scores for inflammatory sinus bone thickening (osteitis), bone destructions and sinus opacifications (here defined as mucosal disease). In logistic regression, we applied osteitis as main outcome measure for CRS-related damage.Results: We evaluated 697 CT scans obtained over median 5 years observation from 116 GPA patients. We found that 39% (45/116) of the GPA patients remained free from CRS damage across the study observation period, while 33% (38/116) had progressive damage. By end of observation, 32% (37/116) of the GPA patients had developed severe osteitis. We identified mucosal disease at baseline as a predictor for osteitis (Odds Ratio 1.33), and we found that renal involvement at baseline was less common in patients with severe osteitis at last CT (41%, 15/37) than in patients with no osteitis (60%, 27/45).Conclusions: In this largely unselected GPA patient cohort, baseline sinus mucosal disease associated with CRS-related damage, as measured by osteitis at end of follow-up. We found no significant association with clinical factors, but the data set indicated an inverse relationship between renal involvement and severe sinonasal affliction.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 1842012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zimo Zhu ◽  
Donna C. Jones ◽  
G. R. Liu ◽  
Sajjad Soleimani ◽  
Xu Huang ◽  
...  

Finite element (FE) analysis has been widely used to investigate bone responses to mechanical loading. Research in long bones has been straight forward because modeling of these bones requires only two material properties. Such an FE model may provide an adequate approximation of the anatomy for many cases. However, a more detailed model of skull bones is needed to accurately capture its complex structure of multiple bone pieces and the various mineral densities distributed throughout these bone pieces. Unfortunately, FE model development incorporating both complex geometries and anatomically accurate material properties is both computationally and labor intensive. In this study, a method is proposed to automatically segment micro-computed tomography ([Formula: see text]-CT) scan images of bone pieces to build an FE model of a full swine hemi-skull. Using the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files from scanned bones, the complete geometry of each bone piece is recreated through seven customized processing algorithms. After assembling the bone pieces to form the skull, experimentally derived Young’s modulus values are correlated to grayscale values to produce a detailed FE model for accurate simulation. This detailed skull model can be used to predict strain/stress patterns in response to various loading regimes to facilitate research questions in fracture healing and growth, as well as bone tissue engineering and bone mineral density loss (e.g., osteoporosis).


2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Papini ◽  
R. Zdero ◽  
E. H. Schemitsch ◽  
P. Zalzal

To assess the performance of femoral orthopedic implants, they are often attached to cadaveric femurs, and biomechanical testing is performed. To identify areas of high stress, stress shielding, and to facilitate implant redesign, these tests are often accompanied by finite element (FE) models of the bone/implant system. However, cadaveric bone suffers from wide specimen to specimen variability both in terms of bone geometry and mechanical properties, making it virtually impossible for experimental results to be reproduced. An alternative approach is to utilize synthetic femurs of standardized geometry, having material behavior approximating that of human bone, but with very small specimen to specimen variability. This approach allows for repeatable experimental results and a standard geometry for use in accompanying FE models. While the synthetic bones appear to be of appropriate geometry to simulate bone mechanical behavior, it has not, however, been established what bone quality they most resemble, i.e., osteoporotic or osteopenic versus healthy bone. Furthermore, it is also of interest to determine whether FE models of synthetic bones, with appropriate adjustments in input material properties or geometric size, could be used to simulate the mechanical behavior of a wider range of bone quality and size. To shed light on these questions, the axial and torsional stiffness of cadaveric femurs were compared to those measured on synthetic femurs. A FE model, previously validated by the authors to represent the geometry of a synthetic femur, was then used with a range of input material properties and change in geometric size, to establish whether cadaveric results could be simulated. Axial and torsional stiffnesses and rigidities were measured for 25 human cadaveric femurs (simulating poor bone stock) and three synthetic “third generation composite” femurs (3GCF) (simulating normal healthy bone stock) in the midstance orientation. The measured results were compared, under identical loading conditions, to those predicted by a previously validated three-dimensional finite element model of the 3GCF at a variety of Young’s modulus values. A smaller FE model of the 3GCF was also created to examine the effects of a simple change in bone size. The 3GCF was found to be significantly stiffer (2.3 times in torsional loading, 1.7 times in axial loading) than the presently utilized cadaveric samples. Nevertheless, the FE model was able to successfully simulate both the behavior of the 3GCF, and a wide range of cadaveric bone data scatter by an appropriate adjustment of Young’s modulus or geometric size. The synthetic femur had a significantly higher stiffness than the cadaveric bone samples. The finite element model provided a good estimate of upper and lower bounds for the axial and torsional stiffness of human femurs because it was effective at reproducing the geometric properties of a femur. Cadaveric bone experiments can be used to calibrate FE models’ input material properties so that bones of varying quality can be simulated.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Gharaibeh

Purpose This study aims to discuss the determination of the unknown in-plane mechanical material properties of printed circuit boards (PCBs) by correlating the results from dynamic testing and finite element (FE) models using the response surface method (RSM). Design/methodology/approach The first 10 resonant frequencies and vibratory mode shapes are measured using modal analysis with hammer testing experiment, and hence, systematically compared with finite element analysis (FEA) results. The RSM is consequently used to minimize the cumulative error between dynamic testing and FEA results by continuously modifying the FE model, to acquire material properties of PCBs. Findings Great agreement is shown when comparing FEA to measurements, the optimum in-plane material properties were identified, and hence, verified. Originality/value This paper used FEA and RSMs along with modal measurements to obtain in-plane material properties of PCBs. The methodology presented here can be easily generalized and repeated for different board designs and configurations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document