Image processing and finite element modeling of cervical spine C3-C4 segment

• Main Author: Muhammad Abu Bakar
• Other Authors: Teo Ee Chon
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Mechanics and dynamics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71684
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In many of the recent orthopaedic literature, it has been observed that there is an increase in the application of numerical simulation in biomechanics studies. It has increasingly been an effective and reliable tool in conducting orthopaedic investigations without committing to in-vitro experiments. There is a need to develop a 3D volumetric Finite Element (FE) model before applying it for numerical simulations. Hence, this study employs the service of ANSYS Mechanical Utility software to accomplish the process. Given that most cervical vertebra models in recent clinical studies are composed of the unstructured tetrahedral meshing, this study is directed to generating and conduct simulations on a FE model consisting of hexahedral mesh elements, as it provides more robustness and generally a higher element quality. This would attribute to more accurate findings in investigations. Validation is administered to the constructed model to assess its viability and reliability for its application in clinical studies. A range of moments (0 – 1.5 Nm) was applied to the 3D models separately on individual vertebrae in the direction of flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial torsion. It was found that the generated FE model of the cervical segment C3 and C4 exhibits a similar mechanical behavior to previous studies.