Abstract
Finite element (FE) modeling is a commonly used method to investigate the influence of medical devices, such as implants and screws, on the biomechanical behavior of the spine. Another simulation method is multibody simulation (MBS), where the model is composed of several non-deformable bodies. MBS solvers generally require a very short computing time for dynamic tasks, compared with an FE analysis. Considering this computational advantage, in this study, we examine whether parameters for which values are not known a priori can be determined with sufficient accuracy using an MBS model. Therefore, we propose a many-at-a-time sensitivity analysis method that allows us to approximate these a priori unknown parameters without requiring long simulation times. This method enables a high degree of MBS model optimization to be achieved in an iterative process. The sensitivity analysis method was applied to a simplified screw–vertebra model, consisting of an anterior anchor implant screw and vertebral body of C4. An experiment described in the literature was used as the basis for developing and assessing the potential of the method for sensitivity analyses and for validating the model’s action. The optimal model parameters for the MBS model were determined to be c = 823,224 N/m for stiffness and d = 488 Ns/m for damping. The presented method of parameter identification can be used in studies including more complex MBS spine models or to set initial parameter values that are not available as initial values for FE models.
Highlights
The results of this study reveal that dynamic systems, used as single systems without vertebral fusion, could be a good alternative for patients affected by Pfirrmann grade II and grade III degenerative disc disease
The results show that there was no significant difference in the structural stability of the lumbar spine model between the cortical bone trajectory system and the traditional pedicle screw system
A basic requirement for a valid model is the adequate definition of model input parameters
Summary
Finite element (FE) modeling is a commonly used method to investigate the influence of medical devices, such as implants and screws, on the biomechanical behavior of the spine. Another simulation method is multibody simulation (MBS), where the model is composed of several nondeformable bodies. We propose a many-at-a-time sensitivity analysis method that allows us to approximate these a priori unknown parameters without requiring long simulation times This method enables a high degree of MBS model optimization to be achieved in an iterative process.
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