Abstract
Background: The Finite Element Method is at present the method of choice for strain prediction in bones from Computed Tomography data. However, accurate methods rely on the correct topological representation of the bone surface, which requires a massive operator effort, thus restricting their applicability to clinical practice. Meshless methods, which do not rely on a pre-defined topological discretisation of the domain, might greatly improve the numerical process automation, but currently their application to biomechanics is negligible. Methods: A meshless implementation of an innovative numerical approach based on a direct discrete formulation of physical laws, the Cell Method, was developed to predict strains in a cadaver femur from Computed Tomography data. The model accuracy was estimated by comparing the predicted strains with those experimentally measured on the same specimen in a previous study. As a reference, the results were compared to those obtained with a state-of-the-art finite element model. Findings: The Cell Method meshless model predicted strains highly correlated with the experimental measurements (R2 = 0.85) with a good global accuracy (RMSE = 15.6%). The model performed slightly worse than the finite element one, but this was probably due to the need to sub-sample the original data, and the lower order of the interpolation used (linear vs parabolic). Interpretation: Although there is surely room for improvement, the accuracy already obtained with this meshless implementation of the Cell Method makes it a good candidate for some clinical applications, especially considering the full automation of the method, which does not require any data pre-processing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1192-1199 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Clinical Biomechanics |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2008 |
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Keywords
- Bone biomechanics
- Cell Method
- Computed Tomography
- Meshless methods
- Numerical model
- Validation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Biophysics
Cite this
A new meshless approach for subject-specific strain prediction in long bones : Evaluation of accuracy. / Taddei, Fulvia; Pani, Martino; Zovatto, Luigino; Tonti, Enzo; Viceconti, Marco.
In: Clinical Biomechanics, Vol. 23, No. 9, 11.2008, p. 1192-1199.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A new meshless approach for subject-specific strain prediction in long bones
T2 - Evaluation of accuracy
AU - Taddei, Fulvia
AU - Pani, Martino
AU - Zovatto, Luigino
AU - Tonti, Enzo
AU - Viceconti, Marco
PY - 2008/11
Y1 - 2008/11
N2 - Background: The Finite Element Method is at present the method of choice for strain prediction in bones from Computed Tomography data. However, accurate methods rely on the correct topological representation of the bone surface, which requires a massive operator effort, thus restricting their applicability to clinical practice. Meshless methods, which do not rely on a pre-defined topological discretisation of the domain, might greatly improve the numerical process automation, but currently their application to biomechanics is negligible. Methods: A meshless implementation of an innovative numerical approach based on a direct discrete formulation of physical laws, the Cell Method, was developed to predict strains in a cadaver femur from Computed Tomography data. The model accuracy was estimated by comparing the predicted strains with those experimentally measured on the same specimen in a previous study. As a reference, the results were compared to those obtained with a state-of-the-art finite element model. Findings: The Cell Method meshless model predicted strains highly correlated with the experimental measurements (R2 = 0.85) with a good global accuracy (RMSE = 15.6%). The model performed slightly worse than the finite element one, but this was probably due to the need to sub-sample the original data, and the lower order of the interpolation used (linear vs parabolic). Interpretation: Although there is surely room for improvement, the accuracy already obtained with this meshless implementation of the Cell Method makes it a good candidate for some clinical applications, especially considering the full automation of the method, which does not require any data pre-processing.
AB - Background: The Finite Element Method is at present the method of choice for strain prediction in bones from Computed Tomography data. However, accurate methods rely on the correct topological representation of the bone surface, which requires a massive operator effort, thus restricting their applicability to clinical practice. Meshless methods, which do not rely on a pre-defined topological discretisation of the domain, might greatly improve the numerical process automation, but currently their application to biomechanics is negligible. Methods: A meshless implementation of an innovative numerical approach based on a direct discrete formulation of physical laws, the Cell Method, was developed to predict strains in a cadaver femur from Computed Tomography data. The model accuracy was estimated by comparing the predicted strains with those experimentally measured on the same specimen in a previous study. As a reference, the results were compared to those obtained with a state-of-the-art finite element model. Findings: The Cell Method meshless model predicted strains highly correlated with the experimental measurements (R2 = 0.85) with a good global accuracy (RMSE = 15.6%). The model performed slightly worse than the finite element one, but this was probably due to the need to sub-sample the original data, and the lower order of the interpolation used (linear vs parabolic). Interpretation: Although there is surely room for improvement, the accuracy already obtained with this meshless implementation of the Cell Method makes it a good candidate for some clinical applications, especially considering the full automation of the method, which does not require any data pre-processing.
KW - Bone biomechanics
KW - Cell Method
KW - Computed Tomography
KW - Meshless methods
KW - Numerical model
KW - Validation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=53649085095&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=53649085095&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.06.009
DO - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.06.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 18678436
AN - SCOPUS:53649085095
VL - 23
SP - 1192
EP - 1199
JO - Clinical Biomechanics
JF - Clinical Biomechanics
SN - 0268-0033
IS - 9
ER -