High-Biofidelity Biomodel Generated from Three-Dimensional Imaging (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography): A Methodological Proposal

Abstract

Experimental research on living beings faces several obstacles, which are more than ethical and moral issues. One of the proposed solutions to these situations is the computational modelling of anatomical structures. The present study shows a methodology for obtaining high-biofidelity biomodels, where a novel imagenological technique is used, which applies several CAM/CAD computer programs that allow a better precision for obtaining a biomodel, with highly accurate morphological specifications of the molar and tissues that shape the biomodel. The biomodel developed is the first lower molar subjected to a basic chewing simulation through the application of the finite element method, resulting in a viable model, able to be subjected to various simulations to analyse molar biomechanical characteristics, as well as pathological conditions to evaluate restorative materials and develop treatment plans. When research is focused in medical and dental investigation aspects, numerical analyses could allow the implementation of several tools commonly used by mechanical engineers to provide new answers to old problems in these areas. With this methodology, it is possible to perform high-fidelity models no matter the size of the anatomical structure, nor the complexity of its structure and internal tissues. So, it can be used in any area of medicine.

High Biofidelity 3D Biomodel Reconstruction from Soft and Hard Tissues (Knee), FEM, and 3D Printing: A Three-Dimensional Methodological Proposal

“…In order to simulate the elasto-plastic behavior of each of the tissues, a general model was used, which is based on a kinematic hardening rule with isotropic hardening components comprising the following equations [ 17 , 18 ]: …”

“…For this, it is necessary to have an upper and lower threshold value, since each segment contains only the pixels with the value within the threshold. A low threshold value corresponds to soft tissue while hard or denser tissues fall into a high threshold, which is possible by means of a histogram which shows Hounsfield units (HU) [ 17 ].…”

Numerical Analysis of the ACL, with Sprains of Different Degrees after Trauma

“…In the present work, four cases of study were carried out by applying a numerical simulation method to a human knee using biomodels generated with a methodology developed by the authors in previous works [36][37][38]. The detailed development of these biomodels and their validation are widely described in [38].…”

“…This file is exported to a CAD/CAM/FEM program. Figure 1 shows a biomodel of a human knee which is subjected to a compression load of 500 N, exerted on the tibia simulating an impact [36][37][38][39][40]. With this simulation, we can obtain the stresses that are exerted in this patellar joint after an agent of that nature.…”

“…All the contacts are bonded type, except for contacts 6 and 7, which are between the cortical bone of the femur and the meniscus, which are frictionless contact [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Because of the joint physiology of these tissues, there is a movement.…”