Establishment of a three-dimensional finite element model of ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The full three-dimensional finite element model can not only establish a realistic three-dimensionalmodel, but also can simulate the osteotomy on the model. Analysis of biomechanics guides the clinical operation.OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis and provide an effective digital platform for further studies.METHODS: A 30-year-old male patient with ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis participated voluntarily in the current study. CTimages obtained from CT transverse scanning from C1 to the sacrococcyx were imported into Mimics 17.0 software toestablish a three-dimensional geometric model of the posterior spine. The geometric model was then imported into Studio Geomagic 2013 software. For the subsequent optimization of image processing, the posterior spine convex geometry wasestablished on the three-dimensional geometric model. We used Unigraphics NX 8.5 to establish the spinal kyphosis surfacemodel, then added modeling of calcification of the ligaments, partial resection of useless sacral bone, and finally, imported themodel into ANSYS 15.0 finite element analysis software, then added the ligaments and set the parameters of the material,generating a complete three-dimensional finite element model of ankylosing spondylitis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A three-dimensional finite element model of complete ankylosing spondylitis wassuccessfully established. Using the ten-node approach, we generated 398370 tetrahedral elements, and 668538 nodes.This will provide a reliable digital platform for the next step of biomechanical analysis.