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Development of Automatized Finite Element Models for Instrumented Spine Simulations.
Implementation of different surgical interventions, such as posterior instrumentation and cage placement into an automatic FE-Element pipeline, for functional outcome prediction.
BACKGROUND:
Finite Element (FE) models have become a powerful tool for research. A large plethora of literature was published during the last years to answer biomechanical and medical questions using FE. In our research group, we are in the development of a pipeline that is able to create patient specific FE models, using radiological data and bringing it to a fully functioning simulation. However, simulations only become valuable when post-operative outcomes can be predicted accurately. This would support the surgeon in his decision-making and can prevent post-operative complications. For this purpose, we plan to implement different surgical interventions, such as posterior instrumentation and cage placement into our pipeline.
TASKS:
- Together with the surgeons from Balgrist Hospital surgical procedures and concepts are worked out which will be integrated into the pipeline.
- Implant models are preprocessed so that the can be used for FE simulations.
- The automatic integration of the instrumentation and the adaption of the models is integrated into the pipeline, using Matlab.
- Once the integration is working, post-operative loads on the intervertebral disc and facet joints are simulated and compared to the pre-operative situation.
BACKGROUND:
Finite Element (FE) models have become a powerful tool for research. A large plethora of literature was published during the last years to answer biomechanical and medical questions using FE. In our research group, we are in the development of a pipeline that is able to create patient specific FE models, using radiological data and bringing it to a fully functioning simulation. However, simulations only become valuable when post-operative outcomes can be predicted accurately. This would support the surgeon in his decision-making and can prevent post-operative complications. For this purpose, we plan to implement different surgical interventions, such as posterior instrumentation and cage placement into our pipeline.
TASKS:
- Together with the surgeons from Balgrist Hospital surgical procedures and concepts are worked out which will be integrated into the pipeline.
- Implant models are preprocessed so that the can be used for FE simulations.
- The automatic integration of the instrumentation and the adaption of the models is integrated into the pipeline, using Matlab.
- Once the integration is working, post-operative loads on the intervertebral disc and facet joints are simulated and compared to the pre-operative situation.
The scope of this project is to extend the existing pipeline so that it allows the simulation of the spine after a surgical intervention.
The scope of this project is to extend the existing pipeline so that it allows the simulation of the spine after a surgical intervention.
Please apply to:
jonas.widmer@hest.ethz.ch
(Note: we only provide unpaid internships)