Experimental and Computational Comparison of Intervertebral Disc Bulge for Specimen-Specific Model Evaluation Based on Imaging

Finite element modelling of the spinal unit is a promising preclinical tool to assess biomechanical outcome emerging interventions. Currently, most models are calibrated and validated against range motion rarely directly soft-tissue deformation. The aim this contribution was develop an in vitro methodology measure disc bulge ability different specimen-specific approaches predict bulge. Bovine bone-disc-bone sections ( N = 6) were prepared with 40 glass markers on intervertebral surface. These initially magnetic resonance (MR)-imaged then sequentially imaged using peripheral-qCT under axial compression 1 mm increments. Specimen-specific finite-element developed from CT data, three methods represent nucleus pulposus geometry without complementary use MR images. Both averaged compressive material properties for tissues investigated. A successful quantify , enabling observation surface displacement qCT. From finite model results, no clear advantage found geometrical information images terms models’ stiffness or bovine disc.