Three-Dimensional Mechanical Model of the Human Spine and the Versatility of its Use

• Main Authors: Sokol Milan, Velísková Petra, Rehák Ľuboš, Žabka Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2014-03-01
• Series: Slovak Journal of Civil Engineering
• Subjects: Human spine; modeling; FEM; mechanical response
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/sjce.2014.22.issue-1/sjce-2014-0005/sjce-2014-0005.xml?format=INT

The aim of the work is oriented towards the simulation or modeling of the lumbar and thoracic human spine as a load-bearing 3D system in a computer program (ANSYS). The human spine model includes a determination of the geometry based on X-ray pictures of frontal and lateral projections. For this reason, another computer code, BMPCOORDINATES, was developed as an aid to obtain the most precise and realistic model of the spine. Various positions, deformations, scoliosis, rotation and torsion can be modelled. Once the geometry is done, external loading on different spinal segments is entered; consequently, the response could be analysed. This can contribute a lot to medical practice as a tool for diagnoses, and developing implants or other artificial instruments for fixing the spine.