Influence of the Screw Positioning on the Stability of Locking Plate for Proximal Tibial Fractures: A Numerical Approach

Tibial fractures are common injuries in people. The proper treatment of these fractures is important in order to recover complete mobility. The aim of this work was to investigate if screw positioning in plates for proximal tibial fractures can affect the stability of the system, and if it can consequently influence the patient healing time. In fact, a more stable construct could allow the reduction of the non-weight-bearing period and consequently speed up the healing process. For that purpose, virtual models of fractured bone/plate assemblies were created, and numerical simulations were performed to evaluate the reaction forces and the maximum value of the contact pressure at the screw/bone interface. A Schatzker type I tibial fracture was considered, and four different screw configurations were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated that, for this specific case study, screw orientation affected the pressure distribution at the screw/bone interface. The proposed approach could be used effectively to investigate different fracture types in order to give orthopaedists useful guidelines for the treatment of proximal tibial fracture

Study of a constrained finite element elbow prosthesis: the influence of the implant placement

BackgroundThe functional results of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) are controversial and the medium- to long-term revision rates are relatively high. The aim of the present study was to analyze the stresses of TEA in its classic configuration, identify the areas of greatest stress in the prosthesis-bone-cement interface, and evaluate the most wearing working conditions.Materials and methodsBy means of a reverse engineering process and using a 3D laser scanner, CAD (computer-aided drafting) models of a constrained elbow prosthesis were acquired. These CAD models were developed and their elastic properties, resistance, and stresses were studied through finite element analysis (finite element method-FEM). The obtained 3D elbow-prosthesis model was then evaluated in cyclic flexion-extension movements (> 10 million cycles). We highlighted the configuration of the angle at which the highest stresses and the areas most at risk of implant mobilization develop. Finally, we performed a quantitative study of the stress state after varying the positioning of the stem of the ulnar component in the sagittal plane by +/- 3 degrees.ResultsThe greatest von Mises stress state in the bone component for the 90 degrees working configuration was 3.1635 MPa, which occurred in the most proximal portion of the humeral blade and in the proximal middle third of the shaft. At the ulnar level, peaks of 4.1763 MPa were recorded at the proximal coronoid/metaepiphysis level. The minimum elastic resistance and therefore the greatest stress states were recorded in the bone region at the apex of the ulnar stem (0.001967 MPa). The results of the analysis for the working configurations at 0 degrees and 145 degrees showed significant reductions in the stress states for both prosthetic components; similarly, varying the positioning of the ulnar component at 90 degrees (- 3 degrees in the sagittal plane, 0 degrees in the frontal plane) resulted in better working conditions with a greater resulting developed force and a lower stress peak in the ulnar cement.ConclusionThe areas of greatest stress occur in specific regions of the ulnar and humeral components at the bone-cement-prosthesis interface. The heaviest configuration in terms of stresses was when the elbow was flexed at 90 degrees. Variations in the positioning in the sagittal plane can mechanically affect the movement, possibly resulting in longer survival of the implant.Level of evidence:

Firefly Algorithm for Structural Optimization Using ANSYS

In the mid-1980s, several metaheuristic methods began to be developed for solving a very large class of computational problems with the aim of obtaining more robust and efficient procedures. Among them, many metaheuristic methods use bio-inspired intelligent algorithms. In recent years, these methods are becoming increasingly important and they can be used in various subject areas for solving complex problems. Firefly Algorithm is a nature-inspired optimization algorithm proposed by Yang to solve multimodal optimization problems. In particular, the method is inspired by the nature of fireflies to emit a light signal to attract other individuals of this species. In this work, a numerical study for solving a structural problem using the Firefly Algorithm as optimization method is conducted. In particular, the implementation of the Firefly Algorithm in several input files realized in the ANSYS Parametric Design Language has allowed the definition of the optimal stacking sequence and the laminate thickness of a composite gear housing used to enclose the components of a mechanical reducer

Modeling the Landscape Drivers of Fire Recurrence in Sardinia (Italy)

Although recurrent fire events with very short return periods have the most dangerous effects on landscape degradation, only a few papers have explored the landscape ecological factors that drive the probability of fire recurrence. In this paper we apply a habitat suitability model for analyzing the spatial relationship between a selected set of landscape factors (mainly land use types) and fire recurrence in Sardinia (Italy) in the years 2005–2010. Our results point out that fire occurrence in already burned areas is lower than expected in natural and semi-natural land cover types, like forest and shrublands. To the contrary, like in all regions where human activity is the main source of fire ignitions, the probability of fire recurrence is higher at low altitudes and close to roads and to urban and agricultural land cover types, thus showing marked preference for those landscape factors denoting higher anthropogenic ignition risk

Reverse Engineering and Redesign of the Impeller of a Submersible Centrifugal Pump

In this work a Reverse Engineering based approach has been implemented aiming to reconstruct the 3D shape of a strongly damaged and no longer usable impeller of a submersible centrifugal pump. After obtaining the 3D model, new designs of the impeller were investigated in terms of structural stability and corrosion resistance by changing the geometry and the material. Obtained results show the used approach can be very useful both to reproduce, by Additive Manufacturing, no longer available spare parts, so allowing to extend the useful life of old machineries and to reduce costs resulting from plant shutdowns, but also to improve the performances of old designs, making use of different materials and new manufacturing processes

Generative Design for Additively Manufactured Textiles in Orthopaedic Applications

The aim of this work is to implement a new process for the design and production of orthopaedic devices to realize entirely by Additive Manufacturing (AM). In particular, a generative algorithm for parametric modelling of flexible structures to use in orthopaedic devices has been developed. The developed modelling algorithm has been applied to a case study based on the design and production of a customized elbow orthosis made by Selective Laser Sintering. The results obtained have demonstrated that the developed algorithm overcomes many drawbacks typical of traditional CAD modelling approaches. FEM simulations have been also performed to validate the design of the orthosis. The new modelling algorithm allows designers to model flexible structures with no deformations or mismatches and to create parametric CAD models to use for the production of orthopaedic devices through AM technologies

Biomechanical Analysis of a New Elbow Prosthesis

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an effective and frequently used treatment for patients with debilitating elbow pathology. Total elbow prostheses have lagged behind those of the knee, hip and shoulder for different reasons, such as the high failure rate of the early designs. Concern remains regarding the longevity of TEA implants, especially in younger patients. The main cause of revision of the implant is usually related to the phenomenon of aseptic loosening mainly due to the cement-bone interface failure. Aim of this work is the biomechanical analysis of a new elbow prosthesis to investigate the mechanical behaviour at the cement-bone interface. For this reason, a musculoskeletal model has been developed by modelling the forces of the muscles and after FEM analyses have been performed. Obtained results confirm the validity of the implemented model and can provide guidelines for surgeons regarding the implant configurations with the aim to reduce the aseptic loosening

Influence of the metaphysis positioning in a new reverse shoulder prosthesis

Aim of this work is to investigate the behaviour of a new reverse shoulder prosthesis, characterized by a humeral metaphysis with a variable offset, designed to increase the range of movements and to reduce the impingement. In particular, by means of virtual prototypes of the prosthesis, different offset values of the humeral metaphysis have been analysed in order to find the best positioning able to maximize the range of movements of the shoulder joint. The abduction force of the deltoid, at different offset values, has been also estimated. The study has been organized as follows. In the first step, the point clouds of the surfaces of the different components of the prosthesis have been acquired by a 3D scanner. This kind of scanner allows to convert camera images into three-dimensional models by analysing the moiré fringes. In the second step, the acquired point clouds have been post-processed and converted into CAD models. In the third step, all the 3D reconstructed models have been imported and assembled through a CAD system. After, a collision analysis has been performed to detect the maximum angular positions of the arm at different metaphysis offset values. In the last step, FEM models of shoulder joint with the new prosthesis have been created. Different analyses have been performed to estimate how the deltoid abduction force varies depending on the offset of the humeral tray. The study allowed to understand how the offset of the metaphysis affects the performances of the shoulder. The obtained results can be effectively used to give surgeons useful guidelines for the installation of these kinds of implants

A New Approach for CAD Modelling of Customised Orthoses by Generative Design

The standard method of design and manufacturing customised orthoses is still very time-consuming due to their often very complex shape. Different authors have tried to solve this problem but, unfortunately, the proposed approaches cannot be easily used in clinical practice because they require substantial interaction among medical staff and engineers or technicians. The aim of this work is to present the framework of a new design approach that could allow clinicians to easily model a customised orthosis, without a skilled technician develops the entire procedure. In particular, an automatic process based on Generative Design has been implemented. The obtained results have demonstrated that the implemented algorithm is simple to use and could allow also not-skilled users to design customised orthoses