Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a medical procedure for treating weakened or fractured vertebrae. In this procedure, bone cement (a form of the polymer polymethyl methacrylate) is injected inside the cancellous part of the vertebra, also called spongy bone due to its porous nature. The bone cement restores the mechanical strength of the vertebra as it cures, thus stabilising the vertebral column. However, complications can arise if the bone cement leaks outside the vertebra during injection. We want to prevent such cases by simulating vertebroplasty using computational models. Such a simulation can be used as a tool by practitioners to decide the operating parameters for each specific patient to achieve optimum filling of bone cement, without resulting into leakages.
You can find more information about the project in the link below:
Jan-Sören Lennart Völter
M.Sc.Research Assistant