Three-Dimensional Soft Tissue Prediction Using Finite Elements

Abstract Background and Aim: The prediction of soft tissue esthetics is important for achieving an optimal esthetic outcome in orthodontic treatment planning. Applicable procedures have so far been restricted to two-dimensional profile predictions that have not proven to be very reliable. The goal of this investigation was therefore to develop a novel finite element-based procedure that allows a three-dimensional, easily visualized, quantitative analysis and prediction of soft tissue behavior for the clinician. The procedure to be developed should be easy to handle and not entail any additional radiation exposure for the patient. Material and Methods: Using a three-dimensional scanner, the facial surfaces of 20 probands were digitalized and individual FEM models were generated. Results: After reduction of data redundancy via several conversion steps, a patient-specific simulation model was prepared consisting of 20,000 to 40,000 individual elements to which specific physical properties could be assigned. The average time required for generating a virtual model was 50 minutes. Problems occurring during model generation were rare (mainly shadowing phenomena and movement artifacts). Conclusion: The procedure outlined herein makes the reliable generation of patient-specific simulation models possible for facial soft tissue prediction in orthodontics.     

经Lister结节穿针多针阶梯形排列髓内弹性固定的3D有限元分析

目的：考察经Lister结节穿针多针阶梯形排列髓内弹性固定的力学效应。方法：采用CT扫描与计算机图象处理相结合的建模方法，进行尺桡骨受力的3D有限元分析，对比无克氏针固定、多针固定、传统针固定3种状态下，尺桡骨干在压缩和弯曲两种外载荷条件下的受力状态。结果：受压缩载荷作用时，桡骨在产生压缩变形的同时，横向（X轴方向）也产生一定的位移，且随着压缩载荷的增大，横向位移（绝对值）增加；尺骨压缩时横向位移很小。未植入克氏针与植入不同数量克氏针的尺桡骨压缩时，横向位移差异明显。传统针固定和多针固定时，受压缩载荷的尺骨受力较均匀，且等效应力低；而桡骨的等效应力分布不均匀，在桡曲的中间段内外侧应力明显集中；植入克氏针后骨干受力有所变化，尤其是尺骨的等效应力值明显下降。在受到横向的弯曲载荷时，尺桡骨同时产生横向弯曲，其中间部分的最大桡曲位移量随着弯曲载荷的增加而增大。在相同外载荷作用下，无克氏针固定和植入克氏针固定的尺桡骨的最大横向位移有一定差别，并且弯曲载荷越大，无克氏针固定、多针固定、传统针固定的差别越明显。克氏针固定后，其最大等效应力下降明显，尤以多针固定下降最明显。随着横向弯曲载荷的增加，尺桡骨横向弯曲变形越来越严重，外侧表现出纵向拉应力。植入克氏针尤其是多针后，桡骨内侧最大的压应力（绝对值）和外侧的最大拉应力值均明显降低，桡骨承载能力明显提高。结论：经Lister结节穿针多针阶梯形排列髓内弹性固定能有效分担外来载荷对尺桡骨的力学影响，提高固定的稳定性，维持桡骨的生理曲度，从而提高疗效。     

Elemental composition and water content of myelinated axons and glial cells in rat central nervous system

The distribution of elements (e.g. Na, Cl, K) and water in CNS cells is unknown. Therefore, electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) was used to measure water content and concentrations (mmol/kg dry or wet weight) of Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K and Ca in morphological compartments of myelinated axons and glial cells from rat optic nerve and cervical spinal cord white matter. Axons in both CNS regions exhibited similar water content ( 90%), and relatively high concentrations (wet and dry weight) of K with low Na and Ca levels. The K content of axons was related to diameter, i.e. small axons in spinal cord and optic nerve had significantly less (25–50%) K than larger diameter axons from the same CNS region. The elemental composition of spinal cord mitochondria was similar to corresponding axoplasm, whereas the water content (75%) of these organelles was substantially lower than that of axoplasm. In glial cell cytoplasm of both CNS areas, P and K (wet and dry weight) were the most abundant elements and water content was approximately 75%. CNS myelin had predominantly high P levels and the lowest water content (33–55%) of any compartment measured. The results of this study demonstrate that each morphological compartment of CNS axons and glia exhibits a characteristic elemental composition and water content which might be related to the structure and function of that neuronal region.     

Assessment of bone mineral content byin vivo measurement of flexural wave velocities

The determination of loss of bone mineral in an early stage of development is important. At the present time there exists no noninvasive or nonradiological methods which can be used for routine checks. An alternative method to obtain information about mineral content of bone is to measure the mechanical properties. A new method to measure the mechanical properties of long bones by means of the dispersion analysis of flexural waves is proposed. To be independent of the frequency spectrum of the impact pulse, the phase velocities were calculated from the signals of two accelerometers placed in vivo on the tibia. This method has the advantage that the velocities can be calculated for a frequency range. The results from this method were compared with the results from a well established measurement method for bone mineral content. Both methods were applied to 43 subjects selected in such a way that a broad range of bone mineral values was covered. The results imply that the proposed method can be used to test the mechanical properties of long bones.     

冲击载荷作用下骨盆三维有限元分析及其生物力学意义

目的:探讨骨盆受到冲击载荷作用的力学行为特征,为临床分析及判断骨盆骨折类型、力学分布、冲击载荷影响提供力学基础。方法:采用计算机仿真模拟方法,将所构建骨盆三维实体模型导入三维有限元分析软件AN-SYS7.0,计算单侧髂前上棘和单侧髂骨正后方部位冲击载荷作用下骨盆的力学行为表现,冲击载荷为0～8000N,峰值8000N,时间自0～40ms,分析主应力值、应力分布情况以及主应力方向上骨盆单元的位移。结果:冲击载荷作用于单侧髂前上棘时,0～10ms主要的应力沿髂后上棘到髂前上棘分布,在冲击后期10ms以后,骶髂关节、髋臼和耻骨支都会产生较大的应力分布;作用于单侧髂骨正后方部位时,0～20ms主要的应力沿髂骨纵行传导,应力分布并没有在冲击峰值10ms时达到最大,而是从20ms之后,应力开始向骶髂关节、双侧耻骨支、坐骨支以及髋臼等部位传导并可见到明显的应力分布。结论:分析冲击载荷作用下骨盆各部位应力分布以及骨盆各个单元在应力作用下的位移变化,有助于临床上进行骨盆损伤内固定力点的选择以及进一步明确骨盆内在应力值分布。     

元素释放器元素释放动态观察

应用我们实验室自制的元素释放器于１９９４－１９９６年进行了碘元素释放动态研究，取６个带有不同释放板的释放器和３个目前应用的缓释器为对照，每个均装入２克碘酸钾，置于水盐水中，应用溴氧化法每两周测定一次水碘含量。     

Accuracy of Quadratic Versus Linear Interpolation in Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI)

Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) is a cardiac functional imaging modality, noninvasively reconstructing epicardial potentials, electrograms and isochrones (activation maps) from multi-channel body surface potential recordings. The procedure involves solving Laplace’s equation in the source-free volume conductor between torso and epicardial surfaces, using Boundary Element Method (BEM). Previously, linear interpolation (LI) on three-noded triangular surface elements was used in the BEM formulation. Here, we use quadratic interpolation (QI) for potentials over six-noded linear triangles. The performance of LI and QI in ECGI is evaluated through direct comparison with measured data from an isolated canine heart suspended in a human-torso-shaped electrolyte tank. QI enhances the accuracy and resolution of ECGI reconstructions for two different inverse methods, Tikhonov regularization and Generalized Minimal Residual (GMRes) method, with the QI-GMRes combination providing the highest accuracy and resolution. QI reduces the average relative error (RE) between reconstructed and measured epicardial potentials by 25%. It preserves the amplitude (average RE reduced by 48%) and morphology of electrograms better (average correlation coefficient for QI ∼ 0.97, LI ∼ 0.92). We also applied QI to ECGI reconstructions in human subjects during cardiac pacing, where QI locates ventricular pacing sites with higher accuracy (≤ 10 mm) than LI (≤ 18 mm).     

个体化下肢小腿假肢接受腔设计的生物力学评价技术研究

作为传递体重、固定假肢的部件 ,接受腔对于小腿假肢使用的舒适性和方便程度有决定性的作用。本研究建立了基于有限元应力分析的小腿假肢生物力学评价技术平台 ,实现了小腿残端 /接受腔 3D几何建模与信息交互、三维有限元自动建模及应力分析。 3D模型与信息交互的实现基于得到广泛支持的OpenGL技术 ,有限元模型的构建采用了专门针对小腿残端 /接受腔结构特点的自动建模方法 ,通过构建档案数据库系统作为整个系统的操作平台。该技术平台可与现有的CAD/CAM系统相结合 ,为接受腔的个体化设计提供生物力学定量化依据。其临床应用将改善传统的设计流程 ,提高设计效率。同时 ,它也是未来构建接受腔设计专家 /智能系统的基础。     

广西三江县侗族青少年头发中9种元素的含量

目的　确定广西三江县侗族青少年头发中 9种人体必需元素含量的正常值。方法　用偏振塞曼原子吸收仪 ,检测了来自三江县的 993名 7～ 16岁中小学生头发中镍、硒、钴、铬、铁、锌、钙、铜和镁 9种人体必需元素的含量 ,并用SPSS统计软件进行统计分析。结果　广西三江县侗族中小学生头发中 ,镍、硒、钴、铬、铁、锌、钙、铜和镁 9种人体必需元素的含量没有性别差异 ;硒、铬、铁、锌、钙和铜与年龄呈负相关 ;制订了镍、硒、钴、铬、铁、锌、钙、铜、镁 9种元素的头发含量的正常值范围。结论　广西三江县中学生头发中硒、铬、铁、锌、钙和铜含量有明显年龄差异 ,而镍、钴和镁却没有年龄差异。