Load-Sharing and Kinematics of the Human Cervical Spine Under Multi-Axial Transverse Shear Loading: Combined Experimental and Computational Investigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Whyte ◽  
Jeffrey Barker ◽  
Duane Cronin ◽  
Geneviève A. Dumas ◽  
Lutz Nolte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Shear Stiffness ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Shear Loading ◽  
Shear Forces ◽  
Lateral Shear ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Load Transmission ◽  
Spine Model

Abstract The cervical spine experiences shear forces during everyday activities and injurious events yet there is a paucity of biomechanical data characterizing the cervical spine under shear loading. This study aimed to 1) characterise load transmission paths and kinematics of the subaxial cervical spine under shear loading, and 2) assess a contemporary finite element cervical spine model using this data. Subaxial functional spinal units (FSUs) were subjected to anterior, posterior and lateral shear forces (200 N) applied with and without superimposed axial compression preload (200 N) while monitoring spine kinematics. Load transmission paths were identified using strain gauges on the anterior vertebral body and lateral masses and a disc pressure sensor. Experimental conditions were simulated with cervical spine finite element model FSUs (GHBMC M50 version 5.0). The mean kinematics, vertebral strains and disc pressures were compared to experimental results. The shear force-displacement response typically demonstrated a toe region followed by a linear response, with higher stiffness in anterior shear relative to lateral and posterior shear. Compressive axial preload decreased posterior and lateral shear stiffness and increased initial anterior shear stiffness. Load transmission patterns and kinematics suggest facet joints play a key role in limiting anterior shear while the disc governs motion in posterior shear. The main cervical spine shear responses and trends are faithfully predicted by the GHBMC cervical spine model. These basic cervical spine biomechanics and the computational model can provide insight into mechanisms for facet dislocation in high severity impacts, and tissue distraction in low severity impacts.

A New Computer Simulation of Neck Injury Biomechanics

2011 ◽  
Vol 467-469 ◽  
pp. 339-344
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Jian Xin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Human Head ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Neck Injury ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Injury Mechanisms

Head and neck injuries are the most frequent severe injury resulting from traffic accidents. Neck injury mechanisms are difficult to study experimentally due to the variety of impact conditions involved, as well as ethical issues, such as the use of human cadavers and animals. Finite element analysis is a comprehensive computer aided mathematical method through which human head and neck impact tolerance can be investigated. Detailed cervical spine models are necessary to better understand cervical spine response to loading, improve our understanding of injury mechanisms, and specifically for predicting occupant response and injury in auto crash scenarios. The focus of this study was to develop a C1–C2 finite element model with optimized mechanical parameter. The most advanced material data available were then incorporated using appropriate nonlinear constitutive models to provide accurate predictions of response at physiological levels of loading. This optimization method was the first utilized in biomechanics understanding, the C1–C2 model forms the basis for the development of a full cervical spine model. Future studies will focus on tissue-level injury prediction and dynamic response.

FEBio finite element model of a pediatric cervical spine

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sean M. Finley ◽  
J. Harley Astin ◽  
Evan Joyce ◽  
Andrew T. Dailey ◽  
Douglas L. Brockmeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Surgical Simulation ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Axial Stiffness ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Axial Tension ◽  
Flexion Extension

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.

CT Based Three Dimensional Geometric Model of Cervical Spine

2013 ◽  
Vol 273 ◽  
pp. 588-592
Author(s):  
Zhi Yuan Yan ◽  
Dong Mei Wu ◽  
Li Tao Zhang ◽  
Jun Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Geometric Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Skeletal System ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
The Finite Element Model

In order to obtain high-quality analytical results of the finite element model, it is essential to construct a three dimensional geometric model. The paper reconstructed an accurate three dimensional geometric model of cervical spine segments (C4-C7). The process of reconstruction included three-dimensional reconstruction, smooth processing, contour generation, grid generation and fitting surface. Moreover, the result of reconstruction was evaluated ultimately. The model was validated to be smooth and reasonable, and could meet the requirements of finite element analysis. The method is not merely applied to reconstruct the geometric model of the cervical spine. It is a way to construct the model of the skeletal system of the human body.

Incorporating ligament laxity in a finite element model for the upper cervical spine

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1755-1764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Lasswell ◽  
Duane S. Cronin ◽  
John B. Medley ◽  
Parham Rasoulinejad
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Upper Cervical Spine ◽  
Upper Cervical ◽  
Ligament Laxity

BIOMECHANICAL STABILITY OF THE CERVICAL SPINE AFTER UNCINATE PROCESS RESECTION: A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (06) ◽  
pp. 1540049 ◽  
Author(s):  
XUEFENG BO ◽  
XI MEI ◽  
HUI WANG ◽  
WEIDA WANG ◽  
ZAN CHEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Equivalent Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Uncinate Process ◽  
Total Deformation ◽  
Maximum Equivalent Stress ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Stability

When performing anterolateral foraminotomy for the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, the extent of uncinate process resection affects the stability of the cervical spine. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of the cervical spine after resection of various amounts of the uncinate process. Based on computed tomography (CT) scans of an adult male volunteer, a three-dimensional geometric model of the cervical spine (C4-C6) was established using Mimics 13.1, SolidWorks 2012, and ANSYS 15.0 software packages. Next, the mechanical parameters of the tissues were assigned according to their different material characteristics. Using the tetrahedral mesh method, a three-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine was then established. In modeling uncinated process resection, two excision protocols were compared. The first excision protocol, protocol A, mimicked the extent of resection used in current clinical surgical practice. The second excision protocol, protocol B, employed an optimal resection extent as predicted by the finite element model. Protocols A and B were then used to resect the left uncinate process of the C5 vertebra to either 50% or 60% of the total height of the uncinate process. The stability of the cervical spine was assessed by evaluating values of deformation and maximum equivalent stress during extension, flexion, lateral bending, and rotation. After protocol A resection, the total deformation was increased as was the maximum equivalent stress during left and right rotation. After protocol B resection, the total deformation was little changed and the maximum equivalent stress was visibly decreased during left and right rotation. As evidenced by these results, protocol B resection had relatively little effect on the stability of the cervical spine, suggesting that resection utilizing the limits proposed in protocol B appears to better maintain the stability of the cervical spine when compared with current clinical surgical practice as replicated in protocol A.

Numerical Simulation of Self-Loosening of Bolted Joints under Cyclic Transverse Loads

2014 ◽  
Vol 487 ◽  
pp. 488-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Yuan Hou ◽  
Ri Dong Liao
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Shear Loading ◽  
Bolted Joints ◽  
Shear Load ◽  
Clamping Force ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Force Amplitude ◽  
Transverse Loads

Self-loosening is one of the major failure reasons for bolted joints. Utilizing the finite element method, a 3-Dimension finite element model under dynamic shear loading is built to study the loosening of bolted fastener phenomenon. And the effect of increment step length, initial clamping force, amplitude of the shear load, thread tolerance, friction coefficients on the loosening process are studied.

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