A New Framework for the Accurate FE Model of Bone Tissue Based on CT Images

Abstract

The frameworks for finite element (FE) model of bone tissue available in pervious literatures, to some extent, are expert-oriented and give rise to a considerable deviation in geometric model and assignment of material property. The objective of this study is to develop a new framework to reconstruct accurate individual bone FE model based on CT images rapidly and conveniently. In image-processing, automatic segmentation of the region of interest (ROIs) improves the efficiency. The idea of enclosed volume of interest (VOI) overcomes the drawback of geometric ambiguity in Marching Cube (MC) method. Geometric model is easily obtained by a STL translator and smooth operator in home-made program. In the material property assignment, two templates for hexahedron and tetrahedron FE models, respectively, are put forth to smoothing an abrupt change of material property in the region from cortical to cancellous. K-mean algorithm is introduced to cluster material properties to improve partition performance. Finally, the new framework is demonstrated by the implementation of a femoral FE model.