Finite element analysis and fatigue of stents

Understanding the behaviour of implantable medical devices is of obvious importance. The potential for failure of a medical device can often be associated with issues related to cyclic loading of the device, and material fatigue. Detailed finite element simulations to evaluate the fatigue of stents allow the engineer to assess potential failures. The engineer can then use the analysis results to modify the design and prevent failure, without making and testing numerous physical devices. Complete understanding of the mechanical behaviour of a stent provided by finite element analysis has the benefits of facilitating effective design, helping to reduce time to market and minimising the potential for unwanted failures.     

Finite element study of controlling factors of anterior intrusion and torque during Temporary Skeletal Anchorage Device (TSAD) dependent en masse retraction without posterior appliances: Biocreative hybrid retractor (CH-retractor)

Objectives:To evaluate, using the finite element method (FEM), the factors that allow control of the anterior teeth during en masse retraction with the Biocreative hybrid retractor (CH-retractor) using different sizes of nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires and various gable bends on the stainless-steel (SS) archwires.Materials and Methods:Using FEM, the anterior archwire section, engaged on the anterior dentition, was modeled in NiTi, and another assembly, the posterior guiding archwire, was modeled in SS. Two dimensions (0.016 × 0.022- and 0.017 × 0.025-inch NiTi) of the anterior archwires and different degrees (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°) of the gable bends on the guiding wire were applied to the CH-retractor on the anterior segment to evaluate torque and intrusion with 100-g retraction force to TSADs. Finite element analysis permitted sophisticated analysis of anterior tooth displacement.Results:With a 0° gable bend all anterior teeth experienced extrusion. The canines showed a larger amount of extrusion than did the central and lateral incisors. With a gable bend of >15°, all anterior teeth exhibited intrusion. Bodily movement of the central incisor required a 30°∼45° gable bend when using anterior segments of 0.016 × 0.022-inch NiTi and 15°∼30° gable bend with the 0.017 × 0.025-inch NiTi.Conclusions:With the CH-retractor, varying the size of the NiTi archwire and/or varying the amount of gable bend on the SS archwire affects control of the anterior teeth during en masse retraction without a posterior appliance.     

Thermal Ablation Damage Analysis of CFRP Suffering from Lightning Based on Principles of Tomography

Coupled electrical–thermal finite element analysis (FEA) models are widely adopted to analyze the thermal ablation damage of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) caused by lightning, but it is still difficult to analyze the ablation due to its complex space geometry. According to the principle of computerized tomography (CT), tomographic images of FEA models’ temperature fields with different thicknesses were obtained to calculate the mass loss and compare the damage morphology. The four areas including Area 0, Area I, Area II, and Area III; were separated from the temperature fields in terms of different vaporization and pyrolysis temperature ranges of carbon fiber (CF) and resin matrix. Ablation mass losses were calculated by pixel statistics and tomographic intervals, which were consistent with the experimental results. The maximum ablation area of unprotected CFRP was found on the tomography images of 50 μm rather than the surface by comparing tomographic images with different thickness due to the influence of the thermal radiation, but this effect was not found in CFRP protected by copper mesh. Some other phenomena, including continuous evolutions of ablation areas and the influence of the intersection angle on the direction of the ablation extension, were also discovered.     

Simulation of Waveforms of a Ferrite Inductor with Saturation and Power Losses

We propose a model of an equivalent electrical circuit specifically designed for a ferrite indAuctor excited by a sinusoidal waveform. The purpose of this model is its use in a circuit simulator. We calculate the model parameters by means of Finite Elements in 2D which leads to significant computational advantages over the 3D model. We carry out the validation for a toroidal ferrite inductor by comparing the experimental results and computed ones. We consider the saturation and power losses in the core. In addition, we have tested the model for the case of square waveform in order to generalize the results. We find excellent agreement between the experimental data and the results obtained by numerical calculations.     

光滑柱状颈部构型的微型种植体-骨界面应力分布的三维有限元分析

目的:探索微型种植体颈部柱状构型对骨界面应力分布的影响。方法:设定种植体颈部为光滑柱状结构,高度分别为0mm、0.5mm、1mm、1.5mm、2mm。分别建立1mm、2mm皮质骨厚度的微型种植体-颌骨有限元模型,比较正畸加载下骨组织内应力分布的情况。结果:颈部柱状种植体-骨界面应力分布明显均匀,传统螺纹种植体-骨界面应力分布较集中。颈部柱状高度的变化对骨界面应力分布影响不大。结论:本三维有限元分析结果表明颈部柱状结构能明显改善微型种植体-骨界面应力分布。     

Assessing bone's adaptive capacity around dental implants: A literature review

BackgroundIncreased stress (force) on prostheses induces strain (deformation) in the peri-implant bone. Elevated stress and strain could result in the failure of implants that support prostheses. However, the survival rate of implants supporting prostheses under increased stress is high. Either the bone is stronger than expected or it adapts to increased stress. Concepts regarding bone’s adaptive capacity continue to evolve and are the focus of this literature review.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors searched the literature to find studies that addressed the bone’s capacity to adjust to increased stress and strain. They assessed experimental and clinical trials in which investigators monitored healing after placement of dental implants.ResultsThe data indicate that forces greater than the bone’s adaptive ability can induce loss of osseointegration, as well as osseous resorption. In contrast, it is possible that increased stress on prostheses initiates a reparative process, thereby facilitating retention of implants experiencing increased stress. Numerous lines of evidence support the concept that bone can modify itself to withstand increased mechanical forces.Practical ImplicationsThe authors provide an explanation for the high success rate of prostheses and implants in bone that are exposed to increased stress and strain.     

Effect of Ankle Torque on the Ankle–Foot Orthosis Joint Design Sustainability

The ankle joint of a powered ankle–foot orthosis (PAFO) is a prominent component, as it must withstand the dynamic loading conditions during its service time, while delivering all the functional requirements such as reducing the metabolic effort during walking, minimizing the stress on the user’s joint, and improving the gait stability of the impaired subjects. More often, the life of an AFO is limited by the performance of its joint; hence, a careful design consideration and material selection are required to increase the AFO’s service life. In the present work, a compact AFO joint was designed based on a worm gear mechanism with steel and brass counterparts due to the fact of its large torque transfer capability in a single stage, enabling a compact joint. Further, it provided an added advantage of self-locking due to the large friction that prevents backdrive, which is beneficial for drop-foot recovery. The design was verified using nonlinear finite element analysis for maximum torque situations at the ankle joint during normal walking. The results indicate stress levels within its design performance; however, it is recommended to select high-grade structural steel for the ankle shaft as the highest stresses in AFO were located on it.     

腰椎行椎间孔入路椎间融合术固定的有限元分析

目的 利用有限元方法分析经单侧椎间孔入路腰椎间融合术治疗腰椎退行性病变的临床可行性。方法 基于正常人L3~5节段的CT扫描数据,利用Mimics、Pro/E、ANSYS软件分别建立L3~5正常生理状态有限元模型、L4/5左单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定加椎间融合器模型(单侧TLIF)、L4/5双侧椎弓根螺钉内固定加椎间融合器模型(双侧TLIF)。在L3上表面施加500 N的人体重力和10 N?m力矩,模拟人体直立、前屈、后伸、左侧弯和右旋5种生理活动,观察不同工况时椎体、椎间盘、螺钉及融合器上变形及应力分布情况,比较两种固定方法力学性能上的差异。结果 各种工况下单侧TLIF、双侧TLIF的L3~5节段变形量均较生理状态模型减少,单侧TLIF、双侧TLIF模型均在后伸运动时融合器的应力达到最大值,且单侧TLIF模型椎弓根螺钉上的应力峰值在各种工况中均明显高于双侧TLIF,后伸工况时应力峰值达到463.39 MPa。结论 单侧TLIF可作为腰椎退变性疾病的一种固定方法,但应力峰值均明显高于双侧TLIF模型,故系统稳定性差于双侧TLIF模型,提示患者在康复过程中应减少后伸运动,以免发生手术失效或螺钉断裂。