FEA has Real Impact on Biological Studies

The University of Exeter's Department of Engineering and Computer Science has developed a model for simulating the response of the human head to impact using finite element methods. Numerical simulations with different projectiles were carried out by the department using ANSYS finite element analysis (FEA) simulation software and ANSYS LS-DYNA 3D, an explicit dynamic solver technology that is designed to enable engineers to simulate limited-duration events.

The new approach involves generating finite element models of the human head based on 3D data sets obtained from medical images. The tests revealed a number of interesting intra-cranial response patterns that could provide explanations for some clinically observed injury patterns. Comparing results with those obtained from physical experiments and with analytical predictions also validated the models.

High-resolution whole head MRI scans of normal volunteer males were obtained and 3D finite element models were generated automatically from the 3D data sets using ScanFE software from Simpleware. The models were generated using proprietary techniques which automate the generation of meshes based on 3D scan data and allows for a number of different structures (e.g. skull, scalp, brain) to be meshed simultaneously. The resultant meshes conform perfectly at the interfaces, leaving no gaps or overlaps, and the user can elect to generate contact surfaces at these interfaces.

The resulting models are geometrically very accurate and were used to explore the intra-cranial response to impact. As well as revealing interesting differences between the intra-cranial pressure response observed for impacts with light projectiles, compared with heavier objects, the study also demonstrated the high degree of accuracy possible using numerical models even for this relatively complex problem. The study demonstrates the considerable potential for the use of automated meshing techniques based on data from medical images for the study of biological systems as well as for industrial applications in reverse engineering.

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