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Design and Optimization of a Tilting Bone Anchor and Investigating its Performance Using Pull-Out Tests in Ovine and Human Humerus

Abedi, Ali | 2023

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 56029 (08)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Mechanical Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Farahmand, Farzam
  7. Abstract:
  8. The mechanical interaction of a tilting anchor and cancellous bones of various densities was simulated using finite element modeling. The model enjoyed a sophisticated representation of the bone, as an elasto-plastic material with large deformation capability. The anchor’s tilting action during implantation phase, as well as its fixation stiffness during pull-out test, were predicted by the model, and a parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the anchor’s distal width, corner fillet radius and bone engagement edge’s coefficient of friction (COF) on these measures. The model predictions were validated against the results of an experimental test on ovine humerus specimens. The model could reasonably reproduce the tilting action of the anchor during the implantation phase. Comparison of the model predictions with the experimental results revealed highly similar trends during both the implantation and the pull-out phases, but smaller displacement magnitudes. The results of the parametric study indicated substantial increase in the fixation stiffness with increasing bone density. Reducing the distal width and increasing the fillet radius improved the anchor’s implantation configuration and fixation stiffness in low-density bones. For high-density bone applications, however, a larger distal width was favored for improving the fixation stiffness. Moreover, the model predicted that an increase in the COF of proximal edge and a lower COF of distal part result in higher stiffness. A novel titanium tilting suture anchor was designed and fabricated using additive manufacturing. The anchor enjoyed a nonsymmetrical structure to facilitate its insertion procedure through a weight-induced tilt, a saw-teeth penetrating edge to provide a strong initial fixation into cancellous bones of various densities, and an appropriate surface texture to enhance the long-term fixation strength through bone ingrowth. Biomechanical tests were performed on 10 ovine and 10 human cadaveric humeri to examine the insertion procedure and assess the initial fixation strength of the anchor, in comparison with a standard screw-type anchor as control. Results indicated a simple yet reliable insertion procedure for the tilting anchor. All anchors survived after 400 cycles of cyclic loadings and failed in the load-to-failure step. There were no significant differences between the displacements and fixation stiffnesses of the anchors in either group
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