Simulation Analyses Related to Human Bone Scaffold: Utilisation of Solidworks® Software in 3D Modelling and Mechanical Simulation Analyses

Abstract

Bone loss is risen due to fractures, surgeries and traumatic injuries. Scientists and engineers work over the years to find solutions to heal and accelerate bone regeneration. Bone grafting technique has been utilised which projects significant improvement in bone regeneration area. An extensive study is essential on the relation between the mechanical properties of bone scaffolds and the design of bone scaffolds in forecasting permeability access to promote bone growth and nutrient distribution. In reducing cost and time, mechanical simulation analyses are beneficial to simulate the relation. There are abundant of review works on the mechanical simulation analyses towards orthopaedic metallic implants. While the review on simulation analyses towards bone scaffolds are scarce. Therefore, this review study is intended to expose the utilisation of computer simulation analysis, specifically Solidworks® software in modelling three-dimensional (3D) scaffold models, performing mechanical simulation and analysing bone scaffold structure. The data were collected from three main sources of Google search, Scopus search and Science Direct search. From this review procedure, there are various computational software have been combined and used to perform several types of simulation analyses on bone scaffolds including Solidwork, Ansys, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, MATLAB etc. Among the simulation analyses, two main tests that can be simulated are mechanical test and fluid modelling. Solidwork® as one of the computer-aided design softwares has been extensively used to design two and 3D models. The advancement of this software on the performance of mechanical simulation analyses has also extended its application towards variety of applications including on bone scaffold evaluation. There are several parameters which are necessary to be set prior to the conduction of mechanical simulation analysis such as applied forces, material properties, mesh properties and boundary condition. As a conclusion, Solidwork® software is applicable to be used as a 3D modelling software to design bone scaffolds and to perform mechanical simulation analyses.