[Simulation of the rat tibial bone density changes with the finite element method].
OBJECTIVE
To calculate changes of rat tibial density induced by mechanical load with the finite element method.


METHODS
A three-dimensional computer model was formed by processing the industrial CT image of rat tibia; bone remodeling results were predicted by using the internal bone remodeling theory presented by Beaupre in conjunction with the finite element method.


RESULTS
The increments of the elements density and its distribution plot were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
The simulation results agree well with the results of the biological experiment, so the simulation results were proved to be accurate.
An
Mei-yan
MY
lnstitute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China. anmeiyanride@sohu.com
Ma
Ai-jun
AJ
Li
Ying-hui
YH
Wan
Yu-min
YM
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D051381:Rats; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed