A workflow for the creation of specimen-specific finite element models based on open-source software - a feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Computational Modeling
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Specimen-specific Finite Element (FE) models are crucial for personalized biomechanics research.
• High costs of commercial software limit accessibility to these advanced modeling techniques.
• Existing open-source tools often lack complete, integrated workflows for FE model generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a primarily open-source software workflow for creating vertebral body FE models.
• To assess the accuracy and accessibility of an open-source approach compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• CT images of a porcine cervical vertebra were segmented using 3D Slicer.
• Mesh refinement was performed in MeshMixer, with conversion in FreeCAD.
• Meshing was completed in Ansys, and material properties were derived from Hounsfield Units.

Main Results:

• The open-source workflow successfully reproduced the geometry and mechanical response of the vertebral body FE model.
• Differences in geometry, distribution, and mechanical response were less than 8%.
• No significant variation in load-displacement was observed, validating the model's mechanical behavior.

Conclusions:

• A primarily open-source software workflow is feasible for generating accurate specimen-specific FE models.
• This approach significantly reduces costs and improves accessibility for biomechanical research.
• Despite some tool incompatibilities, the workflow offers a viable alternative to commercial software.