Elementwise material assignment in reconstructed or transformed patient-specific FEA models developed from CT scans.

In patient-specific finite element modeling, elementwise material assignment calculates local mechanical properties from the underlying CT data. If meshes must be transformed, for example to reconstruct broken bones, this elementwise material mapping is not possible using commercial software. Accordingly, we developed an algorithm to transform and reconstruct CT scans and fill gaps at discontinuities. Virtual mechanical testing showed that iterative reconstruction retains material heterogeneity with minimal strain artifacts and achieves whole-bone mechanics clinically equivalent (within 5%) to homogeneous models. This approach may expand the range of clinical CT scans that are viable for virtual biomechanics by allowing defect repair.