| Abstract Scope |
In silico testing in healthcare is becoming increasingly cost-effective and time saving to understand the behavior of medical devices before conducting clinical trials. Our proposition is the development of an innovative modelling framework based on the coupling of analytical material selection methodology with a simulation driven design approach, that supports material and geometry optimization for new medical devices development. The first part of this work is to identify the best material candidates of a total hip joint replacement. Secondly, a computer-aided design model of a hip implant is simulated using finite-element analysis. An instantaneous visualization of stress and strain fields into the hip joint led to an optimized combination of material and geometry, resulting in relevant new designs of a common hip joint. Lastly, when it comes to producing the implants and in order to reduce post-operative problems and provide precision-fitting, additive manufacturing of patient-specific hip replacement implants is suggested. |