Tridimensional finite element modeling, validation and analysis of stresses and strains due to impact loads in human spine

Abstract

In the last years Bioengineering research had a significant increase, mainly in the studies of biomechanical behavior of human spine. One of the most critical situations for the spine is when it undergoes impact forces. The impact forces give rise to high stresses and fractures. So, it is essential to study the dynamic behavior of the spine under this impact situation in order to evaluate the phenomenon and to propose new methods and techniques for clinical treatments. However, clinical studies, experimental procedures or analytical stress studies for these conditions are sometimes impractical, due to the biological nature of these components and their non-linear conditions. Consequently, many researchers have applied the Finite Element Method (FEM) in their researches. This method allows the evaluation of non-linear situations (e.g. biomechanical interactions), with complex geometries where experimental tests are usually difficult to be conduct. But in spine studies, the development of a model that simulates and predicts the real life condition of the mechanical behavior becomes very complicated, since the spine structure is composed of many parts, with distinct geometries, materials and mechanical functions. Then, in order to improve the modeling techniques and the quality in Biomechanical studies, improved models have to be generated, studied and validated. As reliable the model is, more accurate the results will be. Therefore, this project aims to develop a tridimensional finite element model of a human spine, composed by the C1 to C5 vertebrae, to validate this model and to study the strains and stresses caused by impact forces. (AU)