Application of the finite element method in spinal implant design and manufacture

Abstract

This chapter reviews the application of the finite element (FE) method in designing and manufacturing spinal implants. The structure of the chapter is built upon the procedure of creating the FE model for the human spine, which consists of establishing the FE model for each component of the spine, including mesh generation and material property, verification, validation and, finally, implant design process. Each part of the spine FE model is discussed from the simulation point of view and available models are introduced. For the implant design, some examples are chosen from the literature, which are also being used widely in the medical industry.