Patient-specific finite element modeling of the human lumbar motion segment

Abstract

Finite Element Method (FEM) has been widely used in the field of orthopedic biomechanics to investigate biomechanical behavior of human spine, especially the lumbar region of the spine, which is associated with various forms of spinal pathologies. Patient-specificity of a finite element model of the lumbar spine in both geometry and material property proves crucial to the study of the pathogenesis of lumbar spinal disorders and to the enhancement of the simulation realism of medical surgeries on spine as well. The objectives of this dissertation project are: firstly, to develop a method capable of rapidly creating FE meshes with patient-specific geometry; secondly, to study the unique biomechanical response of a lumbar motion segment as a result of its special geometry.