A finite element model of artificial lumbar disc replacement

Hua WANG; Bowen LIN; Weifan LI

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Some scholars have used finite element analysis to simulate spinal biodynamics. But there are few reports on finite element imitation of lumbar biodynamics system before and after artificial disc replacement.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to do finite element analysis by establishing new three dimensional finite element models of SB-Chaite Ⅲ lumbar disc replacement. DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

The observational experiments were performed at the Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from December 2003 to August 2004. PARTICIPANT A healthy male volunteer served as simulation. His T12-S1 underwent continuous CT scanning. There were altogether 264 images with 2 mm in thickness each. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed every 15? in order to obtain the data for three-dimensional model.

METHODS:

The CT images and human anatomical data were processed by 3DSMAX software to establish three-dimensional L4-5 model of normal Chinese males. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

It was transformed to finite element model after processed by SAP2000 software together with SB-Chaite Ⅲ disc prosthesis model.

RESULTS:

The three-dimensional model and finite element model of lumbar spine were successfully established. The finite element model of SB-Chaite Ⅲ disc replacement in L4-5 spine was established. The total nodes were 2 542, including 1 924 Solid units, 592 Area units and 50 Link units.

CONCLUSION:

The finite element model of artificial disc replacement can be established by CT scanning, digital processor and computer aided design.