Probabilistic Finite Element Analysis of the Human Lower Cervical Spine

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben H. Thacker ◽  
Daniel P. Nicolella ◽  
Srirangam Kumaresan ◽  
Narayan Yoganandan ◽  
Frank A. Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Random Variables ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Probabilistic Methods ◽  
Lower Cervical Spine ◽  
Biological Variability ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Probabilistic Response

Abstract The probabilistic response of an anatomically accurate, three-dimensional, non-linear and experimentally validated finite element model of the human lower cervical spine is presented. Biological variability of the model input variables is accounted for by modeling these parameters as random variables. Efficient probabilistic methods are used to determine the effect of biological variability on the computed response of the non-linear finite element model. Probabilistic sensitivity factors are determined to assess the relative importance of each of the random variables on the probabilistic response.

scholarly journals Finite Element Analysis and Comparative Study of 4 Kinds of Internal Fixation Systems for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ziyu li ◽  
Jianqiang Zhou ◽  
Zhijun Li ◽  
Shaojie Zhang ◽  
xing wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Lower Cervical Spine ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Internal Fixation System ◽  
Fixation System

Abstract Background: Spinal injury in children usually occurs in the cervical spine region. Anterior fixation of lower cervical spine has been applied in the treatment of pediatric cervical spine injury and disease due to its stable and firm mechanical properties. This study performed finite element analysis and comparison of 4 different anterior cervical internal fixation systems for children, and explored more stable methods of anterior cervical internal fixation in children. Methods: A finite element model of 6-year-old children with lower cervical spine C4/5 discectomy was established, and the self-designed lower cervical spine anterior locking internal fixation system ACBLP and the children’s anterior cervical internal fixation system ACOP, ACVLP, ACSLP plate screws were fixed and loaded on the model. 27.42N•m torque load was applied to each internal fixation model under 6 working conditions of anteflexion, backward flexion, left flexion, right flexion, left rotation and right rotation, to simulate the movement of the cervical spine. The activity and stress distribution cloud diagram of each finite element model was obtained. Results: In the four internal fixation models of ACOP, ACVLP, ACSLP, and ACBLP, the mobility of C4/5 segment basically showed a decreasing relationship, and the mobility of adjacent segments increased significantly. In the Mises stress cloud diagram of the cervical spine of the four models, the vertebral body and accessories of the ACBLP model born the least stress, followed by ACSLP; The steel plate and screws in the ACVLP internal fixation model were the most stressed; The stress of the internal fixation system (plate/screw) in all models increased in the order of ACBLP, ACSLP, ACVLP, and ACOP.Conclusions: ACBLP internal fixation system had obvious advantages in anterior internal fixation of lower cervical spine in children, C4/5 had the smallest degree of movement, relative displacement was minimal, the stress on the pedicle was the least while the stress on the plate screw was relatively the smallest.

Finite Element Model of the Human Lower Cervical Spine: Parametric Analysis of the C4-C6 Unit

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Yoganandan ◽  
S. Kumaresan ◽  
L. Voo ◽  
F. A. Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Compressive Stress ◽  
Vertebral Body ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Intervertebral Disk ◽  
Von Mises Stress ◽  
Lower Cervical Spine ◽  
Intervertebral Disks

In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model of the human lower cervical spine (C4-C6) was constructed. The mathematical model was based on close-up CT scans from a young human cadaver. Cortical shell, cancellous core, endplates, and posterior elements including the lateral masses, pedicle, lamina, and transverse and spinous processes, and the intervertebral disks, were simulated. Using the material properties from literature, the 10,371-element model was exercised under an axial compressive mode of loading. The finite element model response agreed with literature. As a logical step, a parametric study was conducted by evaluating the biomechanical response secondary to changes in the elastic moduli of the intervertebral disk and the endplates. In the stress analysis, the minimum principal compressive stress was used for the cancellous core of the vertebral body and von Mises stress was used for the endplate component. The model output indicated that an increase in the elastic modulii of the disk resulted in an increase in the endplate stresses at all the three spinal levels. In addition, the inferior endplate of the middle vertebral body responded with the highest mean compressive stress followed by its superior counterpart. Furthermore, the middle vertebral body produced the highest compressive stresses compared to its counterparts. These findings appear to correlate with experimental results as well as common clinical experience wherein cervical fractures are induced due to external compressive forces. As a first step, this model will lead to more advanced simulations as additional data become available.

Validation of a Finite Element Model of the Young Normal Lower Cervical Spine

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1458-1469 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Wheeldon ◽  
Brian D. Stemper ◽  
Narayan Yoganandan ◽  
Frank A. Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Lower Cervical Spine

Lateral Impact Validation of a Probabilistic Statistical Shape Finite Element Model of the Head and Neck

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Eliason ◽  
Loren Francis ◽  
Todd Bredbenner ◽  
Brian Stemper ◽  
Dan Nicolella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Lateral Impact ◽  
Injury Prediction ◽  
Statistical Shape ◽  
Probabilistic Response

Injury prediction and mitigation are common overarching goals of modern biomechanical research. This research is fundamental to preventing and mitigating injuries sustained by those exposed to dangerous conditions including but not limited to occupational hazards, warfighter risks, automotive accidents, etc. Unlike traditional mechanical system research, biological systems are difficult and costly to test resulting in a need for robust and accurate numerical simulations. Models of the cervical spine are complex, nonlinear systems that must accurately model dynamic loading, large deflections, elastic, and viscoelastic behavior. In addition to individual complexities, population variance in both material properties and shape must be taken into account for accurate injury prediction. As part of a hierarchical validation and verification (V&V) methodology, lateral impact cadaveric cervical spine experiments were compared to a high fidelity statistical shape finite element model (SSFEM) of the cervical spine and head. Specimens were mounted to a sled and accelerated using a pendulum impact with 1, 2, and 3 m/s impact velocities. The kinematics of the head and all individual cervical vertebrae were recorded with a Vicon motion capture system along with sled acceleration data. Sled accelerations were used as input boundary conditions for the probabilistic study using the SSFEM. Head and vertebrae rotations between the experimental and model responses were then compared. A latin hypercube probabilistic analysis was performed for each impact velocity to determine the probabilistic response of each rotation metric. When comparing these responses, both the average and variation must be taken into consideration. This is accomplished using a quantitative validation metric based on the area between the cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of experimental response and the computed probabilistic response. Our results showed a very good match between the model and experiment at the higher impact velocities and a slightly stiffer response at lower rates. These results are consistent with previous validation studies performed with this SSFEM. By expanding the validation data set with lateral impact loading, greater confidence in the model is obtained under different loading modes. This confidence allows the model to be used for probability of injury predictions as well as to identify important system variables in preventing injuries. High fidelity numeric modeling allows for rapid and cost effective assessment of hazardous loading conditions and safety equipment compared to experimental modeling. The knowledge gained from these modeling studies is fundamental and necessary for safe and effective design and injury mitigation.

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.

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