Locked plating systems have emerged in recent years as effective devices for treating and stabilizing femoral fractures. Nevertheless, clinical failures due to plate yielding and fracture have been observed — particularly with distal femoral plates. The majority of failures are attributed to improper placement, fixation techniques, or plate selection, and to premature weight-bearing by the patient. While the mechanical function of plating systems is well-understood, the optimum design parameters that lead to efficient stability and fracture healing, such as plate geometry, material properties, and fixation techniques (e.g. screw configuration and the use of hole inserts), are unknown. The present paper presents an integrated computer-aided engineering (CAE) approach combining digital imaging, solid modeling, robust design methodology, and finite element analysis in order to conduct a parametric investigation of the design of locked plating systems. The present study allows for understanding the contributions of different design parameters on the biomechanics and reliability of these systems. Furthermore, the present approach will lead to exploration of optimum design parameters that will result in robust system performance. Three-dimensional surface models of cortical and cancellous femoral bone were derived via digital CT image processing techniques and a medical imaging analysis program. A nine orthogonal array matrix simulation (L9) was conducted using finite element methods to study the effects of the various design parameters on plate performance. The technique was demonstrated on a case study using a Smith & Nephew PERI-LOC distal femur locking plate where the plate thickness and material, the use of screw hole inserts, and the use of an oblique screw angled distally and medially were the design parameters. After creating a distal fracture with bone loss and stabilizing the femur with the plating system, the impact force due to walking was simulated on each of the nine fracture models. Results showed that increasing the plate’s thickness, using titanium alloy for fabrication, and using screw hole inserts in proximity to the fracture site will maximize the overall factor of safety.
Skip Nav Destination
Sign In or Register for Account
ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 12–18, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4426-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
An Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering Approach for Parametric Investigation of Locked Plating Systems Design
Joshua C. Arnone
,
Joshua C. Arnone
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Sherif El-Gizawy
,
A. Sherif El-Gizawy
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Search for other works by this author on:
Brett D. Crist
,
Brett D. Crist
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Search for other works by this author on:
Gregory J. Della Rocca
,
Gregory J. Della Rocca
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Search for other works by this author on:
Carol V. Ward
Carol V. Ward
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Search for other works by this author on:
Joshua C. Arnone
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
A. Sherif El-Gizawy
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Brett D. Crist
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Gregory J. Della Rocca
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Carol V. Ward
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Paper No:
IMECE2010-39822, pp. 411-417; 7 pages
Published Online:
April 30, 2012
Citation
Arnone, JC, El-Gizawy, AS, Crist, BD, Della Rocca, GJ, & Ward, CV. "An Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering Approach for Parametric Investigation of Locked Plating Systems Design." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 2: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. November 12–18, 2010. pp. 411-417. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2010-39822
Download citation file:
Sign In
7
Views
0
Citations
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
A New External Fixator Design for Femoral Fracture Reduction
J. Med. Devices (June,2008)
Fracture Prediction for the Proximal Femur Using Finite Element Models: Part I—Linear Analysis
J Biomech Eng (November,1991)
Computer-Aided Engineering Approach for Parametric Investigation of Locked Plating Systems Design
J. Med. Devices (June,2013)
Related Chapters
Introduction and Scope
High Frequency Piezo-Composite Micromachined Ultrasound Transducer Array Technology for Biomedical Imaging
Introduction and Definitions
Handbook on Stiffness & Damping in Mechanical Design
Approximate Analysis of Plates
Design of Plate and Shell Structures