A new approach to quickly edit geometries and estimate stresses and displacements of implants in real-time

Authors：Christopher Fleischmann; Irina Leher; Reinhold Hartwich; Marc Hainke; Stefan Sesselmann

Source：Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, 2019, 5(1): 553-556.

DOI：10.1515/cdbme-2019-0139

• osteosynthesis plate
• shape enhancement
• finite element method
• finite element analysis

Although osteosynthesis plates rarely break, such cases still occur. Since the construction of these plates is mainly focussing on the best fit for anatomical structures, they may not provide optimal mechanical stability. It should be considered whether they might be changed in terms of e.g. hole size and number. Finite element analysis can help to estimate whether the plates will withstand loads or break. However, these analyses can be very time-consuming. To counteract this problem, a new software solution (ANSYS Discovery Live) has been established for estimation of stresses in real time. In this study the accuracy of the new software was compared to a conventional finite element analysis software solution to investigate whether this software solution provides appropriate accuracy to be used for medical applications.