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This project page is currently under construction and new projects will be added continuously!

Current Projects:

We generally recommend that you complete the following courses before you start a project in our group:

On this page, you find descriptions of potential projects that you can do at the group for Computational Biomechanics at the ILSB.


Estimation of re-fracture risk in the distal radius after volar plate removal (available)

Supervisor:

Dr. Synek

Student:

N.N.

Content:

  • Clinical background: After successful treatment of a distal radius fracture with a volar plate, the implant (plate and screws) is often removed. The patient is then discharged form hospital, but left with several screw holes in the distal radius. The question is if there is an elevated fracture risk due to these screw holes compared to the native situation.
  • Your task: To create an FEM model for a healthy radius and one with screw holes (geometries are available). To predict failure loads with both models and compare the outcome.
  • Methods and tools: CAD modelling, FEM modelling 
  • Required knowledge: Basics of image processing, CAD modelling, FEM and bone biomechanics


Non-invasive bone fracture load prediction using FE models based on magnetic resonance (MRI) images (available)

Supervisor:

Dr. Synek

Content:

  • Clinical background: Patient specific FE models are typically created based on computed tomography (CT) scans. These models have proven useful to predict fracture loads due to various diseases, e.g. osteoporosis or metastatic bone disease, and to guide subsequent treatments. However, CT images expose the patient to ionizing radiation. In contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not cause any harm to the patient (no ionizing radiation), but accurately visualizing the bone structure is challenging. Recently, MRI sequences to better depict bone structures were developed, but they remain to be integrated and tested in FE modelling workflows for fracture load prediction.
  • Your task: To create FE models of femora from CT and MRI scans (scans are available) and compare the predicted fracture loads.
  • Methods and tools: Image processing, FE modelling 
  • Required knowledge: Basics of image processing, CAD modelling, FEM and bone biomechanics

Parameter Study and Convergence Behaviour of micro-Finite-Element Solver ParOSol (available)

Supervisor:

Dr. Bachmann

Student:

N.N

Content:

  • Question: The high performance micro-Finite-Element (µFE) solver "ParOSol" has several parameters that can be set to influence the solver. These parameter might or might not influence the convergence behaviour
  • Your Task: A parameter study should be performed using different simple load cases (displacement and forces) of different model sizes
    • Furthermore, the literature should be checked what kind of parameters were used in the past
  • Methods and Tools: In-house FE pre-processor written in python, FE Modeling using ParOSol
  • Required knowledge: Finite Element Modeling


3D-Printing: Interlocking FDM printing (available)

Supervisor:

Prof. Pahr

Content:

  • Question: What possibilities are there to increase the strength by interlocking FDM printed layers in z-direction?
  • Your Task: Expore software possibilities (commercial slicers, own slicers), print simple parts with our FDM printer and measure the strength via tensile tests.
  • Methods and Tools: FDM slicing software and printers
  • Required knowledge: Basics of FDM printing, basics of programming (Python)   

(picture from CNC kitchen)

Biomechanics in education: Biomechanical experiments on the MT-02 (abvailable)

Supervisor:

Prof. Pahr

Content:

  • Question: Is it possible to carry out simple biomechanical tests on viscous materials with the existing, self-built testing machine?
  • Your Task: Familiarization with the existing testing machine and Arduino programming, consideration of simple mechanical tests in the field of biomechanics, carrying out the tests.
  • Methods and Tools: In-house universal material testing machine (picture) 
  • Required knowledge: Basics of material testing, basics of programming (Python)   


2D Feature Tracking from virtually deformed micro-structures (available)

Supervisor:

Prof. Pahr

Student:

N.N.

Content:

  • Define & create a micro-structures with trackable features (artificial, bone, …)
  • Do a simple 2D FE simulation of the undeformed image to get deformed images
  • Use trackpy (or other software) to investigate the deformation of the feature
  • Study objectives
    • Project Work 1: Explore the most accurate, easy usable tracking algorithm (trackpy, DIC Engine, 1x other)
    • Project Work 2: Explore the resolution effect (particle size vs resolution) of trackpy



Form follows function - or does function follow form? (available)

Supervisor:

Dr. Bachmann

Content:

  • Our bones are built to bare the loads of daily activities and they are both determined by their shape and the internal structure
  • But what happens if the internal structure is altered or the shape is changed?
  • Would the bones withstand the loads of daily activities in the same way?
  • How is the load redistributed and what elements are responsible for which effect?
  • An investigation is performed using (micro) finite-element solvers




Sustainable Biomechanics: FDM printing of degradable materials for biomedical applications (taken)

Supervisor:

Prof. Pahr

Content:

  • Question: Which short-lived, personalized aids or devices in medical technology, made from FDM 3D printing, can be replaced by bio-based, compostable materials.
  • Your Task:  Find possible application cases, manufacture them based on FDM 3D with bio-based, compostable materials.
  • Methods and Tools: 3D Printing (Picture BioFil - Wood Ochre Washed 1.75mm)
  • Required knowledge: none

BioFil - Wood Ochre Washed 1.75mm

Estimating fracture risk of metastatic femora during activities of daily living (taken)

Supervisor:

Dr. Synek

Student:

Eugen Grischkovec

Content:

  • Literature review on physiological loading of femoral bones during activities of daily living including muscle forces
  • FEM simulation and fracture risk estimation of a femur with bone metastasis during these activities considering physiological loading
  • Comparison of these FEM simulations with simplified estimations of safety factors using a single load case without muscle forces

Changes in hip joint pressure distribution due to hip dysplasia (taken)

Supervisor:

Dr. Synek

Student:

Kevin Kitir

Content:

  • Image processing to obtain geometries of the pelvis and femur geometry of a healthy patient and one with hip dysplasia
  • FEM contact simulation to estimate pressure on femoral head for both cases
  • Comparison of hip joint pressure and interpretation of differences in terms of risk for early osteoarthritis


Testing different FE Material Models for Cartilage in "Inverse Bone Remodelling"

Supervisor:

Dr. Bachmann

Student:

Mitar Bursac, Christoph Balik

Content:

  • Cartilage is a soft layer on bone joints, which distributes the contact forces
  • In finite element models of bones, the cartilage layer is modelled for the same reasons
  • Many different models exists to model the cartilage layer
  • The goal of this project is to analyze the influence of different modeling strategies on the output of "inverse bone remodelling"




Biomechanical testing of a 3D printed implant system

Supervisor:

Prof. Pahr

Student:

Hr Heusler

Content:

  • Durchführung einer Testung eines 3D gedruckten Implantatsystems
  • Methoden: in-house MT-01 Prüfmaschine (Kraft-Weg-Messung), 3D Druck (FDM und/oder SLS), ggf Videoanalyse mit DIC (digital image correlation).
  • Ziel: Durchführung einer Messung der Microbewegung eines Fracturspalts


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