Finite element modelling of a unilateral fixator for bone reconstruction: Importance of contact settings |
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| Authors: | Kavin Karunratanakul Jan Schrooten Hans Van Oosterwyck |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Biomechanics and Engineering Design, Department of Mechanical Engineering, K.U. Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300C, PB 2419, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;2. Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, PB 2450, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;3. Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, K.U. Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, PB 813, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;1. Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA;2. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA;1. Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia;2. Department of Chemistry, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea;3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 449-701, Republic of Korea;1. Department of Orthopedics, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;1. Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Leipzig University, Eilenburger Straße 15a, Leipzig 04317, Germany;2. Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 134, Leipzig 04277, Germany;3. Bubbles and Beyond GmbH, Karl-Heine Straße 99, Leipzig 04229, Germany;4. DMG Chemie GmbH, Heiterblickstraße 44, Leipzig 04347, Germany |
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| Abstract: | When reconstructing a large segmental bone defect by means of a porous scaffold, a fixator is used to stabilize the reconstruction. The fixator stiffness is an important factor as it will influence the biomechanical environment to which scaffold and regenerating tissues are exposed. A finite element (FE) model can be used to predict the fixator stiffness. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a detailed 3D FE model of a custom-developed unilateral external fixator. In particular, it was hypothesized that the contact interfaces between the different fixator components play a major role for the prediction of the fixator stiffness. In vitro mechanical testing of the entire fixator as well as of separate fixator components was performed in order to measure the stiffness. The mechanical test set-ups were simulated by means of detailed FE models that considered different levels of refinement of the various contact interfaces. The error on predicted fixator stiffness in comparison to measured stiffness was reduced from 121% to 16% by refining the contact settings of the FE model. The individual sources of error between the measured and predicted fixator stiffness could be quantitatively assessed as well. In conclusion, this study warrants for a careful modelling of the geometry and contact settings, when using FE models for the prediction of fixator stiffness. |
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