The Evaluation of Stresses in Spinal Instrumentation Devices Using a Hybrid Modelling Approach

Numalogics is a company that uses finite element models of the spine to offer consulting services for other companies, assist in the design of new spinal implants and surgical tools, and simulate surgical procedures. Currently, they apply pre-established loads to their models when running simulations of basic spinal movements. They require to assess whether these loads are representative of physiological muscle forces acting on the spine when producing these movements. Therefore, the goal of this project is to (1) create a framework for applying muscle forces to Numalogic’s spine models, and (2) determine if the stresses and load distributions in spinal implants estimated from these simulations are significantly different when using the pre-established loads versus muscle forces. Numalogics will directly benefit from this research, as we will be able to setup a framework for them to apply muscle forces to their models in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ryan Graham

Student:

Partner:

Numalogics

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: