Title :
Biomechanics of Lumbar Vertebrae as a Functionally Optimal Structure
Author :
Fan, S.C. ; Ghista, D.N. ; Ramakrishna, K.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Civil Eng., Nanyang Technol. Univ.
Abstract :
In this paper, we demonstrate that the spinal vertebral body (VB) remodels (as per Wolf´s law) such that its shape and dimensions enable it to be a light-weight high-strength structure. The VB is modeled as a hyperboloid shell, whose generators are shown to sustain (and transmit) all the loadings on the VB as axial forces. Upon minimizing the sum of the forces in the hyperboloid VB generators with respect to its shape parameters thetas (the angle between pairs of generators), we obtain the optimal shape-dimensions of the VB which corresponds to its measured shape-dimensions. This parameter thetas is deemed to be the prime shape parameter of the hyperboloid VB
Keywords :
biomechanics; bone; axial forces; biomechanics; functionally optimal structure; hyperboloid shell; light-weight high-strength structure; lumbar vertebrae; optimal shape-dimensions; shape parameters; spinal vertebral body; Aerospace engineering; Biomechanics; Biomedical engineering; Biomembranes; Civil engineering; Educational institutions; Equations; Kinematics; Spine; Stress; Biomechanics; Hyperboloid; Vertebral Body;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2005. IEEE-EMBS 2005. 27th Annual International Conference of the
Conference_Location :
Shanghai
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8741-4
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.2005.1615909
