Image Based Model Development and Analysis of the Human Knee Joint

Abstract

Developments in medical imaging and finite element analysis techniques have made it possible to conduct personalized studies on patients. The field of medical implants is especially benefitting from these advancements, where patient specific geometries can be created and analyzed. The present work is focused on using image based techniques for construction of solid models of human knee joints for finite element analysis. Accurate 3D solid models of the human cadaveric knee joint are developed based on a sequence of high resolution MRI images obtained from a Siemens 7T machine. The approach involves identification of various components of the knee joint such as the femur, tibia, femoral and tibial cartilage, and menisci of the tibio-femoral knee joint; construction of a 3D model; smoothing the geometries; meshing of geometry; and then performing finite element analysis. The focus of the present work is on understanding the effect of menisci on the stress and strain distribution in the knee joint. Availability of such image based modeling and analysis methods would help in designing effective meniscal implants.