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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents
Published on: August 14, 2018
Parameter optimization in a finite element mandibular fracture fixation model using the design of experiments
Michaela Maintz1, Bilal Msallem2, Michael de Wild3
1Medical Additive Manufacturing Research Group (Swiss MAM), Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics IM(2), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, Muttenz, Switzerland.
This study enhances finite element (FE) models of mandibular bone by comparing them with biomechanical experiments. Optimizing material properties and contact definitions significantly improves FE model accuracy for surgical planning.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Computational Mechanics
Background:
- Limited validation of mandibular bone finite element (FE) models hinders credibility.
- Accurate FE models are crucial for predicting biomechanical behavior in surgical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of material properties and boundary conditions on FE model accuracy.
- To optimize FE model parameters for enhanced prediction of mandibular fracture fixation outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of FE models and biomechanical experiments using a polyamide 12 (PA12) mandible model.
- Design of experiments approach to systematically analyze FE parameters like contact definitions and material deformation.
- Optimization of contact definitions for screw-implant, implant-mandible, and interfragmentary interfaces.
Main Results:
- FE model accuracy is highly sensitive to mechanical properties and contact definitions.
- The bonded definition for screw-implant contact was found to be ineffective.
- Optimized friction parameters (μ=0.2 for S-I and I-M, μ=0.1 for IF) yielded strong agreement between simulated and experimental data (RMSE for force: 26.60 N, displacement: 0.19 mm).
Conclusions:
- FE model calibration through experimental testing is essential for improving predictive capabilities.
- Validated preoperative quasi-static FE analysis can aid in selecting and placing implants based on patient biomechanical needs.
