• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1423-1424
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.1485-1486
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• 2011

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.188-193
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• 2003

To predict changes in biomechanical parameters such as intradiscal pressure, and the shock absorbing mechanism in the spinal motion segment under different impact duration/loading rates, a three dimensional L3/L4 motion segment finite element model was modified to incorporate the poroelastic properties of the motion segment. The results were analyzed under variable impact duration for normal and degenerated discs. For short impact duration and a given maximum compressive force, relatively high cancellous pore pressure was generated as compared with a case of long impact duration, although the amount of impulse was increased. In contrast relatively constant pore pressure was generated in the nucleus. Disc degeneration increased pore pressure in the disc and decreased pore pressure in the cancellous core, which is more vulnerable to compressive fracture compared with intact case.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.117-120
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• 2002

In this study the occlusion of dural-sac, the outer membrane of spinal cord in the lumbar region, was quantitatively analyzed using one motion segment finite element model. Occlusion was quantified by calculating cross sectional area change of dural-sac far different compressive impact duration(loading rate) due to bony fragment at the posterior wall of the cortical shell in vertebral body. Dural-sac was occluded most highly in the range of 8∼12 msec impact duration by the bony fragment intruding into the spinal canal. t=400 msec case 4% cross sectional area change was calculated, which is the same as the cross sectional area change under 6 kN of static compressive loading.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2010

For stability analysis of the lumbar spine, the hypothesis presented is that the disc has stress sensors driving feedback mechanism, which could react to the imposed loads by adjusting the contraction of the muscles. Fusion in the motion segment of the lumbar spinal column is believed to alter the stability of the spinal column. To identify this effect finite element (FE) models combined with optimization technique was applied and quantify the role of each muscle and reaction forces in the spinal column with respect to the fusion level. The musculoskeletal FE model was consisted with detailed whole lumbar spine, pelvis, sacrum, coccyx and simplified trunk model. Vertebral body and pelvis were modeled as a rigid body and the rib cage was constructed with rigid truss element for the computational efficiency. Spinal fusion model was applied to L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 (single level) and L3-L5 (two levels) segments. Muscle architecture with 46 local muscles was used as acting directions. Minimization of the nucleus pressure deviation and annulus fiber average axial stress deviation was selected for cost function. As a result, spinal fusion produced reaction changes at each motion segment as well as contribution of each muscle. Longissimus thoracis and psoas major muscle showed dramatic changes for the cases of L5-S1 and L3-L5 level fusion. Muscle force change at each muscle also generated relatively high nucleus pressure not only at the adjacent level but at another level, which can explain disc degeneration pattern observed in clinical study.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2020

In this study, we evaluated spinal stability based on the change in the thoracolumbar fixation segment using finite element analysis (FEA). To accomplish this, a finite element (FE) model of a normal thoracolumbar spine (T10-L4), including intervertebral discs (IVD), ligaments, and facet joints, was constructed, and the material properties reported in previous studies were implemented. However, L1 was assumed as the lesion site, and three types of posterior fixation, namely, L1-L2, T12-L2, and T12-L1-L2, were implemented in the thoracolumbar FE model. In addition, the loading conditions for flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were adopted. Through the series FEA, the deformation, equivalent stress, range of motion, and moment on the pedicle screws, vertebrae, and IVD were calculated, and the spinal stability was evaluated based on the FEA results.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.23 no.4 s.181
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• pp.176-182
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• 2006

Although several artificial disc designs have been developed for the treatment of discogenic low back pain, biomechanical changes with its implantation were rarely studied. To evaluate the effect of artificial disc implantation on the biomechanics of functional spinal unit, a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of L4-L5 was developed with 1-mm CT scan data. Biomechanical analysis was performed for two different types of artificial disc having constrained and unconstrained instant center of rotation(ICR), ProDisc and SB Charite III model. The implanted model predictions were compared with that of intact model. Angular motion of vertebral body, forces on the spinal ligaments and facet joint, and stress distribution of vertebral endplate for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation with a compressive preload of 400N were compared. The implanted model showed increased flexion-extension range of motion compared to that of intact model. Under 6Nm moment, the range of motion were 140%, 170% and 200% of intact in SB Charite III model and 133%, 137%, and 138% in ProDisc model. The increased stress distribution on vertebral endplate for implanted cases could be able to explain the heterotopic ossification around vertebral body in clinical observation. As a result of this study, it is obvious that implanted segment with artificial disc suffers from increased motion and stress that can result in accelerated degenerated change of surrounding structure. Unconstrained ICR model showed increased in motion but less stress in the implanted segment than constrained model.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1092-1099
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• 2018

Study Design: In-vitro biomechanical investigation. Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical effects of the degeneration of the biodegradable cervical plates developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on fusion and adjacent levels. Overview of Literature: Biodegradable implants have been recently introduced for cervical spine surgery. However, their effectiveness and safety remains unclear. Methods: A linear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the lower cervical spine, comprising the C4-C6 vertebrae was developed using computed tomography images of a 46-year-old woman. The model was validated by comparison with previous reports. Four models of ACDF were analyzed and compared: (1) a titanium plate and bone block (Tita), (2) strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G) that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength, (3) weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G) that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength, and (4) stand-alone bone block (Bloc). FE analysis was performed to investigate the relative motion and intervertebral disc stress at the surgical (C5-C6 segment) and adjacent (C4-C5 segment) levels. Results: The Tita and PLA-4G models were superior to the other models in terms of higher segment stiffness, smaller relative motion, and lower bone stress at the surgical level. However, the maximal von Mises stress at the intervertebral disc at the adjacent level was significantly higher in the Tita and PLA-4G models than in the other models. The relative motion at the adjacent level was significantly lower in the PLA-1G and Bloc models than in the other models. Conclusions: The use of biodegradable plates will enhance spinal fusion in the initial stronger period and prevent adjacent segment degeneration in the later, weaker period.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.244-247
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• 2005

Although several artificial disc designs have been developed for the treatment of discogenic low back pain and used clinically, biomechanical change with its implantation seldom studied. To evaluate the effect of artificial disc implantation on the biomechanics of lumbar spinal unit, nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of L1-L5, S1 was developed and strain and stress of vertebral body and surrounding spinal ligaments were predicted. Intact osteoligamentous L1-L5, S1 model was created with 1-mm CT scan of a volunteer and known material property of each element were applied. This model also includes the effect of local muscles which was modeled with pre-strained spring elements. The intact model was validated with reported biomechanical data. Two models implanted with artificial discs, SB Charite or Prodisc, at L4/5 via anterior approach were also developed. The implanted model predictions were compared with that of intact model. Angular motion of vertebral body, force on spinal ligaments, facet joint contact force with $2\sim12$ Nm flexion-extension moment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.907-910
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• 2005

Although several artificial disc designs have been developed for the treatment of discogenic low back pain, biomechanical change with its implantation was rarely studied. To evaluate the effect of artificial disc implantation on the biomechanics of functional spinal unit, nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of L4-L5 was developed with 1-mm CT scan data. Two models implanted with artificial discs, SB $Charit\acute{e}$ or Prodisc, via anterior approach were also developed. The implanted model predictions were compared with that of intact model. Angular motion of vertebral body, force on spinal ligaments and facet joint, and the stress distribution of vertebral endplate for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation with a compressive preload of 400 N were compared. The implanted model showed increased flexion-extension range of motion and increased force in the vertically oriented ligaments, such as ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament and interspinous ligament. The increase of facet contact force on extension were greater in implanted models. The incresed stress distribution on vertebral endplate for implanted cases indicated that additinal bone growth around vertebral body and this is matched well with clinical observation. With axial rotation moment, relatively less axial rotation were observed in SB $Charit\acute{e}$ model than in ProDisc model.