title: [Establishment of femoral 3D finite element model and validation of injury biomechanics].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of creating an effective femoral finite element model from medical images of CT scan with Mimics software, and to provide a good model for femoral fracture biomechanics.
  
  
  METHODS
  CT images of femur were obtained from 16-slice spiral CT, which were subsequently imported into Mimics software according to DICOM standard. The 3D femoral finite element model was developed, meshed and assigned with material properties. The feasibility of the model was tested and validated with LS-DYNA in different modes including vertical load of 1 000 N, 3-points bending and side impacts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred twenty-one scanning images were available and reconstructed to create a femoral finite element model consisting of 17 879 nodes and 106 834 tetrahedron elements. The average stress on the femoral neck nodes under vertical load was (3.209 7 +/- 1.373 5) MPa. Strain-deflection curve in 3-points bending test was consistent with Kennedy's study results. The results of the side impact test were in accordance with the forensic anatomical findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The established model should be applicable to femoral collision biomechanics studies.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, PR China, Shanghai 200063, China. zoudonghua2008@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Dong-Hua
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Zheng-Dong
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ning-Guo
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yi-Jiu
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*