title: Development of a detailed volumetric finite element model of the spine to simulate surgical correction of spinal deformities.
abstract: A large spectrum of medical devices exists; it aims to correct deformities associated with spinal disorders. The development of a detailed volumetric finite element model of the osteoligamentous spine would serve as a valuable tool to assess, compare, and optimize spinal devices. Thus the purpose of the study was to develop and initiate validation of a detailed osteoligamentous finite element model of the spine with simulated correction from spinal instrumentation. A finite element of the spine from T1 to L5 was developed using properties and geometry from the published literature and patient data. Spinal instrumentation, consisting of segmental translation of a scoliotic spine, was emulated. Postoperative patient and relevant published data of intervertebral disc stress, screw/vertebra pullout forces, and spinal profiles was used to evaluate the models validity. Intervertebral disc and vertebral reaction stresses respected published in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico values. Screw/vertebra reaction forces agreed with accepted pullout threshold values. Cobb angle measurements of spinal deformity following simulated surgical instrumentation corroborated with patient data. This computational biomechanical analysis validated a detailed volumetric spine model. Future studies seek to exploit the model to explore the performance of corrective spinal devices.
authors.affiliation: Spinologics Inc., 289 Desaulniers, Saint-Lambert, QC J4P 1M8, Canada. mdriscoll@spinologics.com
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mac-Thiong
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Labelle
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parent
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013718:Tensile Strength