Finite element analysis of EBM manufactured bespoke implants: A probabilistic study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Veterinary Orthopedics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Additively manufactured implants show promise in veterinary medicine.
• Angular limb deformity correction in canines requires robust implant solutions.
• In-vivo performance of specific canine implants has been excellent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically validate additively manufactured canine implants for angular limb deformity correction.
• To assess implant reliability and identify critical design parameters through probabilistic analysis.
• To compare numerical stress values with safety limits and determine failure probability.

Main Methods:

• Probabilistic numerical analysis incorporating finite element analysis (FEA).
• Sensitivity and robustness analyses were performed on implant geometry and boundary conditions.
• Statistical analysis was used to compare mean stress values with safety and failure limits.
• Reliability techniques were applied to compute the probability of failure.

Main Results:

• Sensitivity analysis identified critical input parameters for implant performance.
• Robustness analysis determined the mean stress values at which implants operate optimally.
• Numerical analysis revealed a low probability of reaching failure limits.
• The computed low probability of failure aligns with positive in-vivo results.

Conclusions:

• The probabilistic numerical analysis successfully validated the additively manufactured canine implants.
• The methodology demonstrates a reliable approach for designing bespoke veterinary implants.
• The study supports the successful integration of numerical analysis in the design phase of custom implants.