Development of a Detailed Volumetric Finite Element Model of the Spine to Simulate Surgical Correction of Spinal Deformities

Abstract EN

A large spectrum of medical devices exists; it aims to correct deformities associated with spinal disorders.

The development of a detailed volumetric finite element model of the osteoligamentous spine would serve as a valuable tool to assess, compare, and optimize spinal devices.

Thus the purpose of the study was to develop and initiate validation of a detailed osteoligamentous finite element model of the spine with simulated correction from spinal instrumentation.

A finite element of the spine from T1 to L5 was developed using properties and geometry from the published literature and patient data.

Spinal instrumentation, consisting of segmental translation of a scoliotic spine, was emulated.

Postoperative patient and relevant published data of intervertebral disc stress, screw/vertebra pullout forces, and spinal profiles was used to evaluate the models validity.

Intervertebral disc and vertebral reaction stresses respected published in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico values.

Screw/vertebra reaction forces agreed with accepted pullout threshold values.

Cobb angle measurements of spinal deformity following simulated surgical instrumentation corroborated with patient data.

This computational biomechanical analysis validated a detailed volumetric spine model.

Future studies seek to exploit the model to explore the performance of corrective spinal devices.