The use of preserved tissue in finite element modelling of fresh ovine vertebral behaviour |
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| Authors: | Sarrawat Rehman Philippa E Garner Jean E Aaron Ruth K Wilcox |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LeedsWest YorkshireLS2 9JT, UKs.rehman@leeds.ac.uk;3. Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, University of Leeds, Worsley Building, Woodhouse Lane, LeedsWest YorkshireLS2 9JT, UK;4. School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LeedsWest YorkshireLS2 9JT, UK |
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| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to investigate whether the predicted finite element (FE) stiffness of vertebral bone is altered when using images of preserved rather than fresh tissue to generate specimen-specific FE models. Fresh ovine vertebrae were used to represent embalmed (n = 3) and macerated dry-bone (n = 3) specimens and treated accordingly. Specimens were scanned pre- and post-treatment using micro-computed tomography. A constant threshold level derived from these images was used to calculate the respective bone volume fraction (BV/TV) from which the conversion factor validated for fresh tissue was used to determine material properties that were assigned to corresponding FE models. Results showed a definite change in the BV/TV between the fresh and the preserved bone. However, the changes in the predicted FE stiffness were not generally greater than the variations expected from assignment of loading and boundary conditions. In conclusion, images of preserved tissue can be used to generate FE models that are representative of fresh tissue with a tolerable level of error. |
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| Keywords: | spine finite element vertebra bone volume fraction preserved tissue |
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