Finite Element Analysis for Comparison of Spinous Process Osteotomies Technique with Conventional Laminectomy as Lumbar Decompression Procedure

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the biomechanical behavior of the lumbar spine after posterior decompression with the spinous process osteotomy (SPiO) technique or the conventional laminectomy (CL) technique using a finite element (FE) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three validated lumbar FE models (L2-5) which represented intact spine and two decompression models using SPiO and CL techniques at the L3-4 segment were developed. In each model, the ranges of motion, the maximal von Mises stress of the annulus fibrosus, and the intradiscal pressures at the index segment (L3-4) and adjacent segments (L2-3 and L4-5) under 7.5 Nm moments were analyzed. Facet contact forces were also compared among three models under the extension and torsion moments. RESULTS: Compared to the intact model, the CL and SPiO models had increased range of motion and annulus stress at both the index segment (L3-4) and the adjacent segments under flexion and torsion. However, the SPiO model demonstrated a reduced range of motion and annulus stress than the CL model. Both CL and SPiO models had an increase of facet contact force at the L3-4 segment under the torsion moment compared to that of the intact model. Under the extension moment, however, three models demonstrated a similar facet contact force even at the L3-4 model. CONCLUSION: Both decompression methods lead to postoperative segmental instability compared to the intact model. However, SPiO technique leads to better segmental stability compared to the CL technique.

The Effect of Synovial Fluid from Degenerated Facet on Hypertrophy and Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experimental study OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of a synovial supernatant on the cell viability, osteogenic phenotype, mRNA expression of the types collagen and various transcriptional factors on osteogenesis in ligamentum flavum (LF) cells stimulated with synovial fluid from a degenerated facet joint. LITERATURE REVIEW: In degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, hypertrophied LF or osteoarthritic hypertrophy of a facet joint often causes neurogenic claudication. The facet joint is a synovial joint with hyaline cartilage on each side. Therefore, osteoarthritis of a facet joint eventually occurs with aging and other degenerative conditions of the spine. In lumbar spinal degeneration, inflammatory mediators or cytokines are released from the facet joint tissue, which consequently affects the adjacent LF because the LF covers posterolateral aspect of the spinal canal near facet joints. However, there are no reports on the relationship between a degenerated facet joint fluid and the LF in the lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LF surgical specimens were obtained from patients with a lumbar spine stenosis, and the cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion. Each of the synovium tissues were weighed and recorded. Each tissue was cut into small pieces with a pair of scissors and then washed 3 times with PBS. The washed tissue pieces were then cultured for 96 hr at 37degrees C, 5% CO2 in DMEM/F-12-0.1% FBS with a density of 200 mg/ml medium. The supernatant was collected after 96 hr. In order to measure quantitatively the proliferation of cells, the AlamarBlue assay was used. The total cellular RNA was extracted from the cells and amplification reactions specific to the following types of cDNA were performed: the osteogenic master transcription factors, Dlx5, Runx2, osterix, and types collagen and osteocalcin. Alkaline phosphatase staining for the biochemical assay and western blotting for osteocalcin protein expression were performed. RESULTS: Human LF cells cultured with the supernatant from the facet synovium showed a slightly stronger AlamarBlue staining than the intensity of the control culture. RT-PCR revealed the upregulation of the osteogenic master transcription factors, Dlx5, Runx2, and osterix in the synovium supernatant group from one hour to 72 hours, and an increase in osteocalcin, types collagen I, III, V, XI levels from one hour to one week. LF cells cultured with the supernatant from the facet synovium showed positive staining for alkaline phosphatase. The level of the osteocalcin protein in the LF cells cultured with the supernatant from the facet synovium was higher than the control group. Conclusions: The supernatant of the facet joint from patients with degenerative spinal stenosis affects LF cells by increasing the level of cellular proliferation, upregulating the mRNA expression of osteocalcin, types of collagen, osteogenic transcription factors, positive alkaline phosphatase staining, and osteocalcin protein expression. Therefore, degenerated synovial fluid from the facet joint is an important mechanism of LF hypertrophy and ossification.

An optimization of onebody type implant system considering various design parameters / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The researches on the influence of design variables on the stress distribution in cortical and trabecular bones and on optimal design for implant system were limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the sensitivities of design parameters and to suggest the optimal parameters for designing the onebody type implant system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Stresses arising in the implant system were obtained by finite element analysis using a three dimensional model. An onebody type implant system [Oneplant (Warrantec. Co. Ltd., Korea)]was considered in this study. Vertical load(150 N) was applied on the top of the abutment along the axial direction. The initial design variables set for sensitivity analysis were radius of fixture, numbers of micro thread, numbers of power thread, height of micro thread, fixture length, tapered angle of fixture, inclined angle of thread, width of micro thread and width of power thread. The statistical technique of Design of Experiments(DOE) was applied to the simulation model to deduce effective design parameters on stress distributions in bones. The deduced design parameters were incorporated into a fully automated design tool which is coupled with the finite element analysis and numerical optimization to determine the optimal design parameters. RESULTS: 1. The result of sensitivity analysis showed six design variables - radius of fixture, tapered angle of fixture, inclined angle of thread, numbers of power thread, numbers of micro thread and height of micro thread - were more influential than the others. 2. The optimal values of design variables can be deduced by coupling finite element analysis (FEA) and design optimization tool(DOT).

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution and preload of different connection types implant with initial clamping / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: One of common problems associated with single teeth dental implant prosthetic is the loosening of screws that retain the implants. PURPOSE: The maintenance of screw joint stability is considered a function of the preload achieved in the screw when the suggested initial tightening torque is applied. The purpose of this study was to investigate acquired preload after initial clamping torque for estimating screw joint stability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative study on the effect of initial clamping of two types of implant systems with different connections was conducted. Three dimensional non-linear finite element analysis is adopted to compare the characteristics of screw preloads and stress distributions between two different types of implant systems composed with abutment, screw, and fixture under the same loading and boundary conditions. RESULTS: 1. When the initial clamping torque of 32Ncm was applied to the implant systems, all types of implants generated the maximum effective stress at the first helix region of screw. 2. Morse taper connection types of implants generate lower stress distributions compared to those by butt joint connection types of implants due to large contact surface between abutment and fixture. 3. The internal types of implant systems with friction grip type implant systems have higher resistance to screw loosening than that of the external types of implant systems since the internal types of implant systems generated larger preload than that generated by the external types for the same tightening moments.

Three-dimensional stress analysis of implant systems in the mandibular bone with various abutment types and loading conditions / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There are many studies focused on the effect of shape of fixtures on stress distribution in the mandibular bone. However, there are no studies focused on the effect of the abutment types on stress distribution in mandibular bone. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of three different abutment types on the stress distributions in the mandibular bone due to various loads by performing finite element analysis. Material and method : Three different implant systems produced by Warantec (Seoul, Korea) were modeled to study the effect of abutment types on the stress distribution in the mandibular bone. The three implant systems are classified into oneplant (Oneplant, OP-TH-S11.5), internal implant (Inplant, IO-S11.5) and external implant (Hexplant, EH-S11.5). All abutments were made of titanium grade ELI, and all fixtures were made of titanium grade IV. The mandibular bone used in this study is constituted of compact and spongeous bone assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic. A comparative study of stress distributions in the mandibular bone with three different types of abutment was conducted. RESULTS: It was found that the types of abutments have significant influence on the stress distribution in the mandibular bone. It was due to difference in the load transfer mechanism and the size of contact area between abutment and fixture. Also the maximum effective stress in the mandibular bone was increased with the increase of inclination angle of load. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the maximum effective stress in the bone by the internal implant was the lowest among the maximum effective stresses by other two types.

The Effect of TitaniumI Surface Treatment on Osteoblast-Like Cell Attachment and Proliferation / 대한치주과학회지

In clinical therapy, the current goal of dental implants is to enhance quantity and quality of osseointegration. Surface roughness and oxide structure are considered to influence the behavior of adherent cells. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of different surface treatment on cellular response. The attachment and proliferation of osteoblast-like cell on sandblasted, sandblasted and etched, thermal oxidated surfaces have been compared. Sandblasting was done with Al2O3 particles(grain size of 50micrometer), etching was processed with NH4OH : H2O2 : H2O(1:1:5) at 90degrees C for 1 minute. Thermal oxidation was followed sandblasting and etching at 400degrees C, 600degrees C, 800degrees C for 2 hours. Measurement of surface roughness after the different treatment did not show any differences of Ra value between terated surfaces. Cell attachment and proliferation were increased during experiment period, but no difference was observed. SEM evaluation revealed a similar pattern of osteoblastlike cells, well attached with dendritic extension and producing numerous matrix vesicles on cell surface. The results of this study showed that oxide layer alteration by thermal oxidation did not affect the attachment and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. This suggests the possibility that the cellular responses are further influenced by surface roughness than titaniun oxide structure. This study was supported by a grant(HMP-98-G-2-035-B) of the HAN(highly advanced National) Projected, Ministry of Health & Welfare, R.O.K