Microstructural-Based Design and Optimization for Bone Implants
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Microstructurally architected materials have recently gained significant attention, driven by advancements in manufacturing techniques. Among these, functionally graded materials, such as graded lattices, are increasingly used in biomedical engineering due to their potential as bone substitutes. Recent studies have explored the mechanical behavior of various Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) to maximize structural efficiency within manufacturability constraints. These materials replicate the intricate architecture of biological tissues, making them particularly suitable for applications in prosthetic implants, especially in orthopedic and dental fields. The primary objective of this study is to define a more reliable mechanical optimization target to mitigate the detrimental effects of stress shielding in the prosthesis-bone system. The applied methodology is driven by a set of data acquired through micro Computed Tomography images (μCT) over a serie of human hip bone samples. We performed a statistical analysis, extrapolating the probability density functions (PDF) of a set of fundamental geometrical features: trabecular thickness distribution and anisotropy of the trabecular architecture. The statistical behavior of the aforementioned geometrical features are integrated in a computational framework getting a continuum equivalent of the resected bone before the implantation. With theese features an homogenized continuum equivalent was defined enabling to derive stress jump achievable at the prosthesis-bone interface.