SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Development of a female
finite element of the cervical
spine
Afonso J.C. Silva (a), Gustavo P. Carmo (a,b), Ricardo Alves de Sousa (a,b), Fábio A.O. Fernandes
(a,b), Mariusz Ptak (c), Mateusz Dymek (c), Marco P.L. Parente (d)
(a) TEMA - Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro; (b)
LASI - Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory; (c) Wroclaw University of Science and Technology; (d) Department of
Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto
(a) Aveiro, Portugal; (c) Wroclaw, Poland; (d) Porto, Portugal

Keywords - Cervical spine; Functional spinal unit; Finite element method; Range of motion;
Biomechanics; CT scan
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Introduction
 The cervical spine is a common site of injury in the
vertebral column, with severe injuries resulting in
permanent disabilities.
 However, most are minor with a low threat to life. One of
the most common neck injuries is whiplash, and the
plethora of clinical symptoms and sequelae have been
classified as whiplash associated disorders (WAD).
 Whiplash is described as an acceleration-deceleration
mechanism of energy transfer to the neck.
 Females are at higher risk of developing WAD1.
 The aim of this work is to create a new finite element of Kinematics of the head-neck
the female cervical spine that will more accurately complex during whiplash
represent the group most affected by such injuries.

Jakobsson et al., Traffic Inj Prev Comput (2004)

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Methodology

CT scans of a 49- Separation of the bone Segmentation of the

year-old female from the soft tissues. cervical spine
specimen. vertebrae.

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Methodology

Conversion of the Creation of the Separation between the

obtained geometries mesh and different types of
intervertebral discs. materials within each
into STL files. component.

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Methodology
 Complete model consisted of 665 799
elements and 754 439 nodes.
 A simulation of the complete would take a
significant amount of time.
 The model was divided into several Functional
Spinal Units (FSUs), each comprised of two
vertebrae.
 The validation process was preformed by
simulating the FSUs separately;
 Most components were assumed to be
isotropic materials with linear elastic properties
to simplify the first simulations.
 Eight-node brick elements with reduced
integration (C3D8R) were used for all
components, except for the facet cartilages
(C3D8) and the nucleus pulposus (C3D8RH).
Developed finite element model of the
female cervical spine.
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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Simulations:
 Six pure moments of 1Nm were applied in
flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial
rotation.
 All loads were applied with the aid of a reference
point on the center of the superior surface of the
top vertebral body.
 Simulations performed using “Dynamic, Implicit”
analysis;
 For validation, the results were compared with
Loading conditions applied. the data from the in vitro tests performed of
Panjabi et al.1 and Nightingale et al.2,3.
1
Panjabi et al., Spine(2001)
2
Nightingale et al., J Biomech (2007)
3
Nightingale et al., J. Biomech (2002) 5
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Flexion-Extension Lateral Bending Axial Rotation

16 12 14

14 12
10
12
10
8
10
ROM (degree)

ROM (degree)

ROM (degree)
8
8 6
6
6
4
4
4
2 2
2

0 0 0
C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Vertebrae as rigid bodies
 Flexion Extension Axial rotation Lateral bending
The vertebrae are relatively (degrees) (degrees) (degrees) (degrees)
stiff structures that resist C6-C7 FSU 2.53 3.42 3.96 5.86
deformation under FSU with rigid
2.11 2.81 3.43 5.60
vertebrae
physiological loads, so these
ROM comparison between the current C6-C7 FSU and the FSU with rigid
can be modelled as rigid vertebrae.
components.
Axial rotation Lateral bending
 As expected, the model Flexion Extension
Left Right Left Right
exhibits stiffer behavior.
 The performance of the model C6-C7
6975.0 18665.0 10454.0 9951.7 9716.7 8908.4
FSU
is not significantly affected. CPU time
(s)
FSU with
 On average, time reduction is rigid 1406.2 3683.0 2705.9 2590.1 1835.8 1761.2
vertebrae
approximately 80%. CPU run times
Percentual time for simulation with the current C6-C7 FSU and with the
79.8% 80.3%
reduction vertebrae as rigid74.1%
bodies. 74.0% 81.1% 80.2%

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Conclusions and Future Works

Conclusions Future Works

 The developed model is validated and will accurately  Integrating more realistic material behavior for the
portray the behavior of the female cervical spine segment. ligaments.
 There is a noticeable difference between the male and  Addition of brittle behavior to simulate fractures.
female neck ROM.

 Implementation of the annulus fibrosus fibers.
The analysis suggests that treating the vertebrae as rigid
components is a valid approach, since neglecting small  The introduction of solid elements to model the
deformations of the vertebrae does not significantly affect
the accuracy of the FEM. Considering that most cervical ligaments.
spine injuries occur at the level of soft tissue structures  Addition of the muscular system.
rather than the vertebrae themselves, modelling the
vertebrae as rigid bodies does not significantly affect the
clinical relevance of the model.
 However, in certain situations, such as when studying the
effects of bone injuries or surgeries, it may be necessary to
model the vertebrae as deformable structures to capture
the mechanical behavior of the cervical spine accurately.

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Conclusions and Future Works

Vertebrae as rigid bodies

FeFEHM (female finite element

Developed Female finite element
head model). From Carmo et al.1
neck model

Female finite element head-neck

model.
Carmo et al., Comput Methods Programs Biomed. (2023)
1 8
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023
Whiplash:
Background (or Introduction) Itmechanism
is described as an accele
of energy tran


The cervical spine a common site of injury in the vertebral column, with  Females are at higher risk
severe injuries resulting in permanent disabilities. However, most are associated disorders (WAD
minor with a low threat to life. One of the most common neck injuries is
whiplash, and the plethora of clinical symptoms and sequelae have been  This can be attributed to s
classified as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). The risk of sustaining
WAD has been shown to be significantly influenced by gender. Females differences in body propo
are at higher risk of developing symptoms [1]. Additionally, finite muscle strength, to name
element human body models have proven to be fundamental tools for
better understanding injury mechanics. As such, the aim of this work is
to create a new finite element of the female cervical spine that will
more accurately represent the group most affected by such injuries.
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Background

YEAHM (YEt Another Head Model). From

Fernandes et al.1

Head Protection in Micromobility.

et al.2

http://bafhta.web.ua.pt/home.html
1
Fernandes et al., Eng Comput (2018) FeFEHM (female finite element head
2
Serra et al., IRCOBI (2022)
3 model). From Carmo et al.3
Carmo et al., Comput Methods Programs Biomed. (2023)
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Methodology

Separation of the bone Segmentation of

from the soft tissues. the cervical spine
vertebrae.
CT scans of a 49-
year-old female
specimen.

4
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Methodology
 Complete model consisted of 655924
elements and 740471 nodes;
 A simulation of the complete would
take a significant amount of time;
 The model was divided into several
Functional Spinal Units (FSUs);
 The validation process will be
preformed by simulating each FSU
separeratly.
 initiated with the initial validation of
this FSU.

Creation of the Separation of the

mesh and facet different materials
cartilages. on the
components
created.
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Flexion – Extension

Flexion-Extension Lateral Bending Axial Rotation

16 12 14

14 12
10
12
10
Nightingale et al. 8
10
ROM (degree)

ROM (degree)

ROM (degree)
Panjabi et al. 8
8 Model 6
6
6
4
4
4
2 2
2

0 0 0
C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7

6
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Flexion – Extension
Flexion-Extension (Ox)
16

14

12

ROM (degree) 10 Panjabi et al.

Nightingale et al.
8 Model

0
C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7

6
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Flexion – Extension

Flexion-Extension (Ox) Lateral Bending (Oy) Axial Rotation (Oz)

16 12 14

14 12
10
12 10
8

ROM (degree)
10
ROM (degree)

ROM (degree)

8 Panjabi et al.
8 6 Model
6
6 Nightingale et al.
4 4
4
2 2
2
0
0 0 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7
C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7 C2-C3 C3-C4 C4-C5 C5-C6 C6-C7

6
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Lateral bending

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Simulation and Results

Axial Rotation

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SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS TechMA2023

Conclusions and Future Works

Vertebrae as rigid bodies

FeFEHM (female finite element

head model). From Carmo et al.1

Developed Female finite element Female finite element head-neck

neck model model.
Carmo et al., Comput Methods Programs Biomed. (2023)
1 8