MECHATRONIC SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING THE BIOMECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAE

Daniel BESNEA, Edgar MORARU, Victor CONSTANTIN, Iolanda-Constanta PANAIT, Vlad-Andrei STĂNESCU, Valentin NĂSTASE, Cosmina CHIUJDEA

Abstract


The subject of the paper focuses on the use of rapid prototyping technologies in the construction and validation of a mechatronic system for simulating loading and unloading with different load conditions between the lumbar vertebrae, with the main purpose of evaluating their biomechanical behaviour. The three-dimensional model of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs was obtained by using specific programs that allow the generation of digital anatomical structures with appropriate accuracy based on medical imaging techniques. The physical models of the L1, L2, L3 and L4 vertebrae were obtained out of Polylactic Acid (PLA) using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology, and the three intervertebral discs, made out of a silicone material, were manufactured using molding methods. A mechatronic system for simulating the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar vertebrae was designed and assembled. A series of experiments was carried out in which the loading and unloading of the vertebrae was simulated in relation to the three stationary positions of the motor, and the loads applied were measured in the case of each intervertebral disc. In a second experiment, the number of motor stops would increase and results were obtained for the three intervertebral discs at loading and unloading in 11 points. The outcomes of the simulations run on the experimental stand can give a general idea of how the lumbar spine behaves biomechanically.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Pereira, T, Kennedy, J.V., Potgieter, J., A comparison of traditional manufacturing vs additive manufacturing, the best method for the job, Procedia Manufacturing, pp. 11-18, 30, 2019.

Amaya-Rivas, J.L., Perero, B.S., Helguero, C.G., Hurel, J.L., Peralta, J.M., Flores, F.A., Alvarado, J.D., Future trends of additive manufacturing in medical applications: An overview. Heliyon, 2024.

Wong, K.V., Hernandez, A., A review of additive manufacturing, International scholarly research notices, 1, 2012, 208760.

Gibson, I., Rosen, D.W., Stucker, B., Additive Manufacturing Technologies Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing, Springer, 2010.

Peron, M., Saporiti, N., Shoeibi, M., Holmström, J., Salmi, M., Additive manufacturing in the medical sector: from an empirical investigation of challenges and opportunities toward the design of an ecosystem model, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, pp. 387-415, 45, 2, 2025.

Ahmad, M., Javaid, M., Haleem A., A study on fused deposition modeling (FDM) and laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM) in the medical field, Intelligent Pharmacy, pp. 381-391, 2, 3, 2024.

Putra, N.E., Zhou, J., Zadpoor, A.A., Sustainable Sources of Raw Materials for Additive Manufacturing of Bone‐Substituting Biomaterials, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 13, 1, 2024, 2301837.

Berce, P., Bâlc, N., Caizar, C., Pacurar, R., Radu, A.S., Bratean, S., Fodorean, I., Manufacturing technologies by adding material and their applications, Romanian Academy Publisher, Bucharest, 2014.

Berce, P., Bâlc, N., Ancău, M., Cosma, S., Jidav, H., Caizar, C., Chezan, H., Fabricarea Rapida a Prototipurilor, Editura Tehnică, Bucuresti, 2000.

Braileanu, P.I., Simion, I., Bou-Said, B., Prisecaru, D.A., Crisan N., Custom hip stem additive prototyping using smart materials. Mater. Plast, pp. 152-158, 57, 2, 2020.

Pitzen, T., Geisler, F., Matthis, D., Müller-Storz, H., Barbier, D., Steudel, W.I., A. Feldges, A finite element model for predicting the biomechanical behaviour of the human lumbar spine, Control Engineering Practice, pp. 83-90, 1, 1, 2002.

Bozyiğit, B., Oymak, M.A., Bahçe, E., Uzunyol, Ö. F., Finite element analysis of lattice designed lumbar interbody cage based on the additive manufacturing, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, pp. 991-1000, 23, 8, 2023.

Whatley, B.R., Kuo, J., Shuai, C., Damon, B.J., Wen, X, Fabrication of a biomimetic elastic intervertebral disk scaffold using additive manufacturing, Biofabrication, 3, 1, 2011, 015004.

Wandra, R. 3D Printing of Lumbar Spine Cages Manufactured through: Finite Element Analysis and Experimental Validation. Materials Today: Proceedings, pp. 585–592, 50, 2022.

Chin, B.Z., Ji, T., Tang, X., Yang, R., Guo, W., Three-Level Lumbar En Bloc Spondylectomy with Three-Dimensional−Printed Vertebrae Reconstruction for Recurrent Giant Cell Tumor. World Neurosurgery, pp. 531-537, 129, 2019, e1.

Gao, B., Zhao, H., Peng, L., Sun, Z., A review of research progress in selective laser melting (SLM), Micromachines, pp. 57, 14, 1, 2022.

Awad, A., Xu, X., Ong, J.J., Goyanes, A., Basit, A.W., Vat Photopolymerisation additive manufacturing for pharmaceutical applications. In Nano-and Microfabrication Techniques in Drug Delivery: Recent Developments and Future Prospects, pp. 99-124, 2023, Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Prakash, Prabhu, L.V., Saralaya, V.V., Pai, M.M., Ranade, A.V., Singh, G., Madhyastha, S., Vertebral body integrity: a review of various anatomical factors involved in the lumbar region, Osteoporosis international, pp. 891-903, 18, 2007.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


JOURNAL INDEXED IN :