 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Home > SCI Research: Computational Biomechanics
Back to Computational Mechanics
Computational Biomechanics
The technical field of computational biomechanics involves the development and use of tools in computational mechanics for applications in biology and medicine. Our research focuses on the development of finite element and meshless methods to examine the mechanics of soft and hard tissues. We have created techniques to build subjectand patient-specific computational models of soft and hard tissues directly from biomedical image data such as CT, MRI and confocal microscopy. We have also formulated new constitutive models and numerical implementations that capture the nonlinear, anisotropic and viscoelastic properties of biological materials such as ligament, tendon, cartilage, meniscus and myocardium. Our last focus has been to capture the unique boundary conditions associated with biological systems such as residual stress and position-dependent anisotropy.
 Three-dimensional surface reconstruction of a
normal hip joint (left) and a hip joint with dysplasia (right), surfaces were reconstructed from
volumetric CT image data. |
Applications in Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular Biomechanics
 
Pressure distribution in the articular cartilage of
the acetabulum for a normal subject (left) and a patient with dysplasia (right). Triangular mesh
corresponds to bone, hexahedral mesh indicates articular cartilage. |
Our application areas span several disciplines and include studies of knee mechanics, shoulder instability, hip dysplasia and the mechanics of angiogenesis. The panels to the right illustrate a patient-specific finite element model of the hip, including predictions for cartilage contact stresses for two different loading conditions. By examining the effects of anatomical pathologies on hip mechanics, we can help the surgeon to plan treatment and to understand whether or not surgical intervention may be necessary.
Volume renderings of confocal image data for angiogenesis. The image on the left shows the largest continuous structure. |
Principal Researchers:
