Generation of a Finite Element Model of the Thoracolumbar Spine

The goal of this study was to generate a realistic 3D FE model of the seven level thoracolumbar spine. This research focused on the development of a robust and efficient procedure for generating anatomical 3D FE models, directly from a series of medical images, i.e., CT data. A complex model of the spine was created by combining two different modelling approaches, namely the CAD and STL-CAD methods. In addition, the entire meshing procedure for the vertebrae was significantly speeded up by combining 3D tetrahedral elements with brick elements, relative to conventional mapped mesh generation procedures. The resulting model generation method allowed for flexibility in element choice and in element type combinations. The model was subjected to various compressive loads to asses the overall behaviour of the spine. This case study was performed to illustrate the usefulness of the FE model. In the authors' opinion, the model presented is an important tool in computational spine research as it can provide general information on spinal behaviour under various loading conditions whether healthy, diseased or damaged.