Biomechanical analysis and design of a dynamic spinal fixator using topology optimization: a finite element analysis.

Surgeons often use spinal fixators to manage spinal instability. Dynesys (DY) is a type of dynamic fixator that is designed to restore spinal stability and to provide flexibility. The aim of this study was to design a new spinal fixator using topology optimization [the topology design (TD) system]. Here, we constructed finite element (FE) models of degenerative disc disease, DY, and the TD system. A hybrid-controlled analysis was applied to each of the three FE models. The rod structure of the topology optimization was modelled at a 39 % reduced volume compared with the rigid rod. The TD system was similar to the DY system in terms of stiffness. In contrast, the TD system reduced the cranial adjacent disc stress and facet contact force at the adjacent level. The TD system also reduced pedicle screw stresses in flexion, extension, and lateral bending.

Biomechanical comparison of the K-ROD and Dynesys dynamic spinal fixator systems - a finite element analysis.

Dynamic spinal fixators, such as the Dynesys (DY) and K-ROD (KD) systems, are designed to restore spinal stability and to provide flexibility. The long-term complications of implant breakage and the biomechanics of the adjacent and the bridged levels using the KD system are still unknown. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and compare the biomechanical effects of the KD system and the DY system. Finite element (FE) models of the degenerated lumbar spine, the DY system, and the KD system were each reconstructed. Hybrid-controlled analysis was applied in the three FE models. The FE results indicated that the KD system supplies the most stiffness during extension and the least stiffness during flexion, in contrast to the DY system. In contrast to the DY system, the KD system increased the facet contact force of the adjacent level, but this system decreased the screw stress on the cranial adjacent disc and the pedicle during flexion.

Enhancement of biomechanical behavior on osseointegration of implant with SLAffinity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate stresses resulting from different thicknesses of hydroxyapatite- and titanium dioxide (TiO(2))-treated layers at the interface between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) implants and bones using three-dimensional finite element models. For ensuring osseointegration of implant treatment, one must examine the stresses of interface between implant and bone tissue. Treated layers on TMJ implants are a very important factor in clinical application. Several studies have investigated finite element models for TMJs, but few have examined a model for TMJ implants with treated layers. In this study, TMJ models were reconstructed using computer tomography data, and the effects of treated layer thickness on the stress field during jaw movement were investigated; this index has not yet been reported with respect to TMJ implant. The maximum stresses in the bone occurred at the position of the first screw. Data analysis indicated a greater decrease in this stress in the case of using TMJ implants with TiO(2)-treated layers, and the stresses decreased with increasing layer thicknesses. Results confirmed that the treated layers improve biomechanical properties of the TMJ implants and release abnormal stress concentration in them. The results of our study offer the potential clinical benefit of inducing superior biomechanical behavior in TMJ implants.

Stress effect on bone remodeling and osseointegration on dental implant with novel nano/microporous surface functionalization.

The objective of this study was to investigate the stress distributions of a surface-treated dental implant and bone tissue under physiological loading. For ensuring success of dental implant treatment, one must examine the magnitude and location of the maximum stresses. Stress analysis models were constructed from computer tomography data. Although several studies have investigated finite element models of dental implants, none have used an implant model with a nanoporous layer in a biomimetic geometrical mandible model. The novel implant surface used in this study, comprised of a microlevel porous containing a nanolevel porous structure, was complex and it was difficult to present due to the limitation of computer efficiency. However, this complex geometry was simplified using a film, to further investigate stresses resulting from 0 nm, 50 nm, 500 nm, 5 µm, and 50 µm surface treatment thicknesses. Results indicated that the stresses transferred more uniformly in implants with nanoporous surface treatments, and that the stresses decreased with increasing layer thickness. Our study showed that this could be potentially beneficial for understanding the stress properties of surface-treated layers for dental implants.