10/4 Statistical FEM bone and implant modelling

		Examples of orthopaedic implants.

Current implant design in orthopaedics is largely an engineering approach based on prior expert knowledge and a trial-and-error mechanism in order to find the optimal shape and mechanical properties. The implant design is evaluated and optimised mainly by manual fitting and fixation procedures applied to a selected set of cadaveric bones. So far, adequate statistical statements about the appropriateness of implants regarding their shape and mechanical properties in a given population group are unavailable. In this subproject we will develop novel methods for the construction of finite element mesh (FEM) statistical models. They will allow the evaluation and optimisation of the mechanical properties of current and future orthopaedic implants. The methods will incorporate bone density into the computational evaluation of screw positions, orientations and lengths. We will also employ state-of-the-art bone remodelling analysis in conjunction with the statistical shape models in order to enable a virtual bone remodelling test-bench for implants. Such a system could later be extended for patient-specific mechano-biological analysis to optimise implant choice.