On Application of Image-Based Finite Element Modeling in Injury Analysis

Conventional physical experiment methods, which mainly rely on dumbs and cadavers, have their limitations in studying injuries, as material and physiological conditions in dumbs and cadavers are different from those in in vivo human beings. Bio-fidelity of the physical model has been a major challenge in conducting experiments for investigating injuries. For example, intracranial pressure has a positive role in protecting the brain from mild impacts [18], but it is not maintained in cadavers. In addition to this, installation of sensors inside cadavers for collecting information such as tissue strains is either not practical or may significantly change the original conditions. Imagebased finite element modeling has a number of advantages over the conventional experiment methods in studying injuries. In construction of an image-based finite element model, the required information such as geometry and material properties is extracted from medical images of the studied subject. Therefore, the obtained finite element model has much higher bio-fidelity [6]. Bio-fidelity of a finite element model includes geometric, material, kinematic and kinetic fidelity of the model to the original or realistic subject. Geometric bio-fidelity of finite element models used in injury studies has been greatly improved by using medical images [3]. Progress has also been made in improving the material bio-fidelity [4]. Finite element modeling is in principle able to provide any information inside the studied subject at any concerned locations. Finite element modeling is also very suitable and effective for conducting parametric studies, which would be very expensive and even impossible if conducted with physical experiments, andit is necessary to understand mechanistic mechanisms involved in various injuries.