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Development of an in silico model for prediction of in vivo human bone fracture healing using micro-finite element analysis

Projektbeschreibung

Die Knochenheilung anhand eines Modells vorhersagen

Wenn es um Knochenfrakturen geht, mangelt es vorhandenen Bewertungsinstrumenten an der Auflösung, um anfängliche Frakturstellen zu identifizieren und zu isolieren. Das gilt besonders, wenn sich diese im distalen Knochenabschnitt, der Metaphyse, befinden. Ziel des EU-finanzierten Projekts HealinguFE ist die Entwicklung eines Instruments, das derartige Mikrofrakturen erkennen und den Heilungsverlauf vorhersagen kann. Anhand von hochauflösenden peripheren Computertomografiedaten von Menschen mit einer Handgelenksfraktur wird das Forschungsteam ein In-silico-Modell entwickeln, mit dem sich strukturelle Veränderungen im Knochen identifizieren lassen. Das entwickelte Instrument wird Wissenslücken zu den Mechanismen schließen, die der trabekulären Knochenheilung zugrunde liegen, und die künftige Forschung zu neuen Interventionen vorantreiben.

Ziel

Current knowledge of fracture healing is based on experimental animal studies of diaphyseal bone, despite 20% of fractures occurring in the metaphysis of the distal forearm. Moreover, current fracture healing assessment tools lack the resolution to identify and isolate the initial fracture site in cases involving a crushing fracture.

The objectives of this project are to (1) develop a micro-finite element (μFE) model for fracture site identification, (2) develop an in silico model for human bone fracture healing capable of tracking local microstructural changes, and (3) test the predictive power of the in silico model using clinical data. μFE models will be generated from high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HRpQCT) data of the distal radius from wrist fracture patients. The μFE models will be generated from HRpQCT data collected at the early stages of fracture healing and compared to remodelling maps in order to determine if μFE models can be used to isolate the site of the initial fracture. Adaptations will be made to an existing in silico model based on the findings of the μFE analysis. The resulting in silico model will be applied to clinical HRpQCT data to predict endpoint microstructural changes as well as patterns in fracture healing and remodelling. The predictive power of this in silico model will be determined by comparing the simulation results to observed behavior in vivo.

The proposed project merges recent advances in bone mechanobiology, μFE simulations, and medical imaging to develop novel image analysis and registration methods as well as a tool for predicting if, when, and where fracture healing will occur. The proposed work will provide insights into the local behavior of trabecular bone fracture healing and help the fellow achieve professional maturity. Further, the in silico model has the potential to change the landscape of fracture healing research, particularly in areas of preclinical testing and personalized medicine.

Koordinator

EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 191 149,44
Adresse
Raemistrasse 101
8092 Zuerich
Schweiz

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 191 149,44