Three-dimensional finite element models based on in vivo microfocus computed tomography: Elimination of metal artefacts in a small laboratory animal model by registration with artefact-free reference images

• Published in: Advances in engineering software (1992) Vol. 40; no. 11; pp. 1207 - 1210
• Main Authors: Muraru, L., Van Lierde, C., Naert, I., Vander Sloten, J., Jaecques, S.V.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Bone–implant structures; Finite element modelling; In vivo micro-CT; Metal artefacts; Microfocus X-ray computed tomography; In vivo micro-CT; Finite element modelling; Microfocus X-ray computed tomography; Bone–implant structures; Metal artefacts
• ISSN: 0965-9978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advengsoft.2009.06.002

A method is presented to generate metal-artefact-free finite element (FE) models based on in vivo micro-CT images of bone–implant structures in the case of the Guinea Pig’s tibiae. A bone–implant composite FE model was constructed based on both pre- (just before implant insertion) and post-operative (4 days after implant insertion) sets of micro-CT scans. Definition of bone geometry and attribution of material properties to the volumetric elements was based on pre-operative images while post-operative scans were mainly used for registration. Standard Triangulation Language (STL) representations of implant and bone were generated after segmentation of CT images in MIMICS ® (Materialise). Registration was performed in 3-matic ® (Materialise). By taking two sets of scans at a 4 days interval, undisturbed bone geometry before implant insertion and implant position after insertion were recorded. After adequate validation, FE models constructed with this method can be used to study bone adaptive response to controlled mechanical loading.