21108 FEM modeling of spine-thorax for simulation of scoliosis surgery

In this research, it is proposed to use a simple FEM model to make the simulation of a scoliosis surgery. This research examined the method which obtains data of vertebral shape from patient's CT image. These data are used to transferee to FEM model of scoliosis patient. We have proposed a model of spine consisting of solid and spring. Bone was expressed by solid elements, and soft tissue was expressed by spring elements. 3D reconstruction of CT images of scoliosis patient was done. And this reconstructed data was transferees to CAD data. The outlines on the vertebral expressing anatomic characteristics were drawn. And these lines were taken in to FEM software. Using these data the FEM model of scoliosis spine was developed. The obtained model expresses each vertebral shape in small number of nodes and elements, and it is expected to simulate the surgery of scoliosis simplify but effectively.