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Leveraging Altair SimSolid for Bone Biomechanics at Roth McFarlane
Technology Category
- Sensors - Torque Sensors
- Wearables - Implants
Applicable Industries
- Education
Applicable Functions
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Experimentation Automation
- Onsite Human Safety Management
Services
- Testing & Certification
The Challenge
Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC) in London, Ontario, faced a significant challenge in evaluating the biomechanics of bone stresses. The center, under the direction of Dr. Louis Ferreira, PhD, was using human bone specimens that were CT scanned with a high-resolution scanner. This process preserved much of the internal trabecular bone’s microstructure geometry. However, the challenge lay in the fact that many measurements from the experimental models were either prohibitive or impossible to measure directly on the specimen. This was particularly relevant in the case of patients with shoulder arthritis who were often treated surgically by replacing the diseased joint with implants. The center needed a way to simulate how different implant types influence bone stresses, which can influence the longevity of the surgical procedure.
About The Customer
Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC) is a respected, world-renowned center of excellence in education, research, and the diagnosis, care, and treatment of patients with complex conditions affecting hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. In addition to these, the center also specializes in breast reconstruction, complex wound care, and numerous other conditions requiring specialized care. Located in London, Ontario, the center is under the direction of Dr. Louis Ferreira, PhD, and uses advanced technology and methods to provide the best possible care for its patients.
The Solution
The solution came in the form of Altair SimSolid™, a simulation software that allowed for simulated mechanical testing that matches the physical model. The models of human bone specimens were imported into SimSolid for this testing. This software allowed HULC to augment measurements from their experimental models that would otherwise be prohibitive or impossible to measure directly on the specimen. For instance, in the case of shoulder joint implants, SimSolid allowed for the testing of high-resolution bone models from a 60-micron resolution CT scan. Similarly, for the human skull, an experimental model used 3D printed piston mounts to recreate muscle lines of action on a cadaveric human head. This experiment was recreated in SimSolid in order to measure bone strains in areas where strain gauges could not be placed on the specimen.
Operational Impact
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