3D finite element modeling and analysis of dynamic force in bone drilling for orthopedic surgery

SUMMARY Three-dimensional finite element modeling and analysis are made to simulate the dynamic process of bone drilling during the orthopedic surgery. This study is proposed to evaluate the performance of various surgical tools and the possible pre-operative biohazard. In the simulation, the strain–stress curve of the bone is divided into linear elastic region and nonlinear plastic region according to the strain range. Rigid-plasticity and elasto-plasticity are used as bone material. The performances of twist drill bit and hollow drill bit are evaluated. The results of finite element analysis give different patterns of stress distribution on the two types of bone models and drill bits. The FE simulations show dynamic drilling process that the drill bit penetrates through the bone model. In vitro drilling experiment on porcine femur is conducted to measure the drilling force for the validation of the FEM. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.