Advanced finite element mesh model of female SUI research during physical and daily activities

• Published in: Studies in health technology and informatics Vol. 142; p. 447
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yingchun, Sweet, Robert M, Metzger, Gregory J, Burke, Daniel, Erdman, Arthur G, Timm, Gerald W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 2009
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Computer Simulation; Female; Finite Element Analysis; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Urinary Incontinence, Stress
• ISSN: 0926-9630
• DOI: 10.3233/978-1-58603-964-6-447

With a goal towards dynamic subject-specific mechanical characterization of the etiology of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females during physical or daily activities, a finite element (FE) mesh model generation procedure has been developed to build the subject-specific FE model of the female pelvis from multiple high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) acquisitions with varying contrasts. The advanced female pelvis FE model was developed by using this procedure which consisted of over 35 anatomical parts including: 10 pelvic muscles, 10 pelvic ligaments, 6 pelvic bones, skin, fat tissue, bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, colon, rectum, anus etc. basically all the major parts of the female pelvis. This comprehensive pelvis model is ready to be used to characterize relative relationships and structures during the physical activities that elicit SUI during activities of daily living.