From high-resolution CT data to finite element models: development of an integrated modular framework.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Mechanics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Patient-specific finite element (FE) models are crucial for biomechanical analysis and surgical planning.
• Manual development of these models is time-consuming and requires specialized expertise.
• Automating mesh generation for complex anatomical structures remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, automated method for generating patient-specific FE models using a mapped mesh technique.
• To reduce user interaction and development time in creating accurate FE models of bony structures.
• To validate the proposed method on human phalanx bones.

Main Methods:

• A mapped mesh technique was employed, transferring a high-quality template mesh to a target bony surface.
• A deformable registration method based on FE principles was used to align the template with the target surface.
• A hierarchical approach with multiple mesh refinement levels was implemented to optimize computational efficiency.

Main Results:

• The automated method successfully mapped template meshes onto target bony surfaces with minimal user input.
• Evaluation of mesh quality metrics (element volume, distortion) demonstrated satisfactory results.
• Measured distances between target surfaces and mapped meshes confirmed the accuracy of the generated models.

Conclusions:

• The proposed automated mapped mesh technique is a viable and efficient method for patient-specific FE model development.
• This approach significantly reduces the manual effort required for creating FE models of bones.
• The method shows promise for applications in biomechanics, orthopedics, and personalized medicine.