A rigorous method for evaluation of the 6D compliance of external fixators |
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Authors: | Antonio Meleddu Sébastien Barrault Philippe K Zysset |
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Institution: | Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. |
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Abstract: | External fixators are standard devices to stabilize bone fractures and their compliance aims at producing an interfragmentary
motion that promotes rapid and successful healing. While evaluation of their axial compliance is a routine test, the quantification
and interpretation of their full 6 × 6 compliance matrix is an extensive and delicate task. In this context, the objective
of this study was to develop, validate and demonstrate the potential of a rigorous method to quantify their 6 × 6 compliance
matrix. An experimental system was developed to apply six independent static forces and moments to an external fixator in
the field of view of two infrared cameras quantifying the induced motion. The system was then tested with a calibration structure
which compliance could be calculated analytically and numerically. Finally, the system was applied to compare three configurations
of a commercial external wrist fixator. The results of the method proved to be reproducible and highly consistent with the
linear elasticity theory in the physiological range of small deformations. A rigorous method for evaluation of the 6D compliance
becomes therefore available for research in mechanobiology of fracture healing by external fixation. |
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Keywords: | Bone Compliance External fixation Fracture healing Stiffness Wrist |
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