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Abstract
Finite Element modeling is a powerful tool that can aid clinicians in making informed treatment decisions that are tailored to the patient's needs. Using Computed Tomography (CT) patient specific 3-D geometry can be generated on as needed basis, but methodologies using open source softwares are limited. In this work, CT scans are analyzed and manipulated using FIJI, an open source image analysis software developed by the National Institutes of Health, to generate three-dimensional models of the bone and soft tissue [1]. These models are further enhanced using a reverse engineering software, Geomagic, to create Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) surfaces [2, 3]. The NURBS models generated are then able to be imported to Finite Element Modeling softwares (such as SIEMENS NX) for analysis by engineers and clinicians [4].
1.Introduction
Musculoskeletal biomechanics is a relatively new field of engineering that has recently seen great advancements due to the increase in availability of computing power for computational modeling and simulation. Such advancements have allowed for reasonably accurate analysis using the finite element method on anatomical models that would otherwise be nearly impossible to analyze by hand without making several limiting engineering assumptions. In 1972, the first finite element model of human bone tissue was developed [5]. With the advent and increased popularity of computed tomography (CT) technology due to the low cost and time required, refined geometrical models of bone structures have been feasible to create and analyze using the finite element method [6, 7, 8]. Because they are time and cost effective, CT data allows for clinicians to develop accurate models for each patient as needed. However, CT scans are not the only method available to obtain such accurate geometries; MRI and ultrasounds have also historically been used to model anatomical geometries, as well as to get elastic material data as in [9,10]. Using the geometrically accurate models that such scans allow for, advancements can be made in the study of stress analysis on biomechanical structures, giving engineering designers and analysts greater insights into patient specific orthotic design and the treatment of ailing conditions, such as in the works of [11-16]. The present work seeks to give an overview of the process of creating patient specific geometry using CT scan slices with open source software....