Three-dimensional finite element analysis on the support and protection of spine protector for thoracic-lumbar vertebra / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Human spine protector can protect human thoracic-lumbar vertebra segments against injury, and the design and development of a novel dynamic protector needs the verification of various experimental means. OBJECTIVE:Using the three-dimensional finite element method, we evaluate the effect of spine protector and the biomechanical reaction of thoracic-lumbar vertebra under the axial loading. METHODThe thoracic-lumbar vertebra were cut from the whole spine three-dimensional finite element model. Then the thoracic-lumbar vertebra models carrying spine protector were taken as experimental group, while the models without the protector served as control group. Al the specimens were evaluated, constrained, loaded and figured out by its properties. The results of equivalent stress and strain distribution were obtained from the data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In both groups, the stress was distributed at axial and posterior column of L 2 when the load was applied in axial direction. According to the data obtained from the experiment, both the experimental group and the control group had achieved the maximum stress at 16 ms, 3.919 Mpa and 5.727 Mpa, respectively. The statistical analysis result showed that the stress varied significantly at T 12 and L 2 in two groups (both P0.05). Experimental findings indicate that, spine protector can significantly reduce the vertical stress of the thoracic-lumbar vertebra when fal ing on the ground, and share the vertical load, which is protective to thoracic-lumbar vertebra.