Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Finite Element simulations of a side-ways fall to the hip: Identification of critical material parameters
X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) based Finite element models have the potential to improve the prediction of hip fracture risk for osteoporotic patients compared to current standard of diagnosis. The aim of this project is to use such models for investigating the influence of material param
Keywords: finite element, impact, dynamic, fracture, hip fracture, modelling, subject specific, parameter study
Elevated hip fracture risk is generally addressed either pharmacologically or through lifestyle interventions. While both of these have been moderately successful, they can be expensive and difficult to implement but pharmacological intervention may also carry its own risk. For this reason, clinicians must carefully screen before implementing these solutions, and how this screening is informed is critical to its success. Presently, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is the clinical ‘gold standard’ used to diagnose those with osteoporosis. Epidemiologic evidence supports that low BMD is associated with increased population-based risk of fracture, however, aBMD and other clinical assessment tools are not sensitive enough to identify individuals likely to suffer a fracture. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) based Finite element models have the potential to improve the prediction of hip fracture risk compared to aBMD. Mechanical properties of tissues in elderly are reported with high variance and their influence on hip fractures is so far poorly investigated.
Elevated hip fracture risk is generally addressed either pharmacologically or through lifestyle interventions. While both of these have been moderately successful, they can be expensive and difficult to implement but pharmacological intervention may also carry its own risk. For this reason, clinicians must carefully screen before implementing these solutions, and how this screening is informed is critical to its success. Presently, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is the clinical ‘gold standard’ used to diagnose those with osteoporosis. Epidemiologic evidence supports that low BMD is associated with increased population-based risk of fracture, however, aBMD and other clinical assessment tools are not sensitive enough to identify individuals likely to suffer a fracture. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) based Finite element models have the potential to improve the prediction of hip fracture risk compared to aBMD. Mechanical properties of tissues in elderly are reported with high variance and their influence on hip fractures is so far poorly investigated.
In this project, the candidate will work together with an international team of experts, on answering the question: What predisposes a hip to fracture? The particular aim of this part of the project is to modify existing image based dynamic FE models of human hips to perform a structured parameter study to investigate the influence of variance in different tissue types on fracture risk. Among others the tasks will be to implement different material modelling strategies, from simple linear elastic models to complex visco-elastic-plastic models, and investigation of properties within literature based extremes.
In this project, the candidate will work together with an international team of experts, on answering the question: What predisposes a hip to fracture? The particular aim of this part of the project is to modify existing image based dynamic FE models of human hips to perform a structured parameter study to investigate the influence of variance in different tissue types on fracture risk. Among others the tasks will be to implement different material modelling strategies, from simple linear elastic models to complex visco-elastic-plastic models, and investigation of properties within literature based extremes.
Ingmar Fleps, ingmar.fleps@hest.ethz.ch, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH-Zurich.
Ingmar Fleps, ingmar.fleps@hest.ethz.ch, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH-Zurich.