Multimodal image analysis and modeling of thin bone structures in the human skeleton

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Computer modeling of the human anatomy is a powerful approach to understanding structure and function. The finite element (FE) method enables representation of geometric and material complexities of the musculoskeletal system, specifically in models generated from 3D medical imaging data. Experimental validation has demonstrated that FE analysis can model musculoskeletal mechanical behaviour under simplified loading and boundary conditions. We have developed image processing methods that accurately reflect thin bone geometry and density necessary for specimen-specific FE modeling, despite resolution limitations imposed with clinical CT imaging. This, combined with highly automated workflows, has allowed the generation of multiple FE models that quantify the mechanical behaviour of these intricate structures. Yet, to represent physiologic behaviour of the human musculoskeletal anatomy requires complex load and boundary conditions. Further, understanding the mechanical behaviour of these structures is critical even after failure has occurred. This research seeks to integrate multimodal image analysis and FE modeling to accurately depict the mechanical behaviour of thin bone structures under complex physiologic loading and post fracture stability. In this work we propose to address the following specific aims: