Singularity-free finite element model of bone through automated voxel-based reconstruction.
Computed tomography (CT) provides both anatomical and density information about tissues. Bone is segmented by raw images and Finite Element Method (FEM) voxel-based meshing technique is achieved by matching each CT voxel to a single finite element (FE). As a consequence of the automated model reconstruction, unstable elements - i.e. elements insufficiently anchored to the whole model and thus potentially involved in partial rigid body motion - can be generated, a crucial problem in obtaining consistent FE models, hindering mechanical analyses. Through the classification of instabilities on topological connections between elements, a numerical procedure is proposed in order to avoid unconstrained models.
a Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture (DiSt) , School of Engineering, University of Naples Federico II , via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples , Italy.
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Esposito
b Department of Electric Engineering and Information Technologies (DIETI) , School of Engineering, University of Naples Federico II , via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples , Italy.
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Bifulco
c Department of Science - Vísindadeild Lndspitali (LSH) , Biomedical Engineering Centre, Reykjavik University and Landspitali , Menntavegi 1, 101 - Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Gargiulo
a Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture (DiSt) , School of Engineering, University of Naples Federico II , via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples , Italy.|d Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II , P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples , Italy.
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Fraldi
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019295:Computational Biology; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008954:Models, Biological; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
DICOM; FEM; automated model reconstruction; instability; singularity; voxel-based