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Application note

Mimics assists in enhancing


foot comfort
Case presented by P.J. Antunes et al., University of Minho, Portugal

Finite element analysis can be a very powerful tool for understanding


stress distribution on the feet and its implications for human comfort.
Shoe insoles that are mechanically optimized to simultaneously support
the body weight without foot deviations and act as contact pressure
reducers in the precarious plantar zones, can enhance foot comfort.
The geometrical complexity of the foot structure requires an adequate
virtual 3D model in order to precisely simulate the biomechanical
behavior of the human foot. The study below illustrates how Mimics
assisted researchers to quickly and easily generate an accurate,
anatomically detailed 3D foot model for non-linear finite element analysis.

Fast translation of CT scan data into complete 3D models for FEA


Using Materialise 3D image processing and editing software Mimics, the research team
processed CT scan data of the foot region of a 26 year old male. After importing the medical
data (DICOM images), the team employed a thresholding technique based on Hounsfield units
to separate the bone and the soft tissues. They manually separated the segmentation mask
for each bone with the region growing tool. As a result, every bone now corresponds to an
individual mask, which can be distinguished by the different applied mask colors. This process
allows the generation of independent geometrical files and 3D models. For the complete
definition of the bone foot structure and soft tissues, 30 different regions were defined in
no time. The foot was then reconstructed in 3D with Mimics, capturing each bone and the
encapsulated soft tissues volume that geometrically define the foot structure.

1 2 3

1 Sagittal view of the foot in Mimics


2 3D bone structure assembly in Mimics
3 Bone structure + soft tissues assembly
in Mimics
In order to create 3D CAD models, each model was exported to an STL-file. Using CATIA soft-
ware, the cartilages that were not reconstructed in the segmentation process were then
modeled, and volume Boolean operations were performed to achieve a volume of soft tissues.
This procedure guaranteed perfect alignment of the cartilages on the bones, an important
consideration for future finite element model generation.

4 Next, the researchers imported the assembled model of the foots bone structure, the
modeled cartilage and the Boolean-generated soft tissues volume in the non-linear FEA
package Abaqus. The model was then prepared for non-linear analysis, achieved specifically
through the definition of loads, boundary conditions, material properties, kinematic constraints
and mesh discretization processes. The resulting FEA model allows the output of several
variables that can be used to evaluate the comfort of shoe insoles or to study other
biomechanical aspects of the foot, such as Von Mises stress or plantar contact pressure.

The FEA plantar contact pressure values were experimentally verified by the use of equipment
that measures podologic pressures. The non-linear FEA model generated in this study can
serve as a tool for design optimization of shoe insoles or other foot support devices. With
this model, a wide variety of insole geometries and materials can be tested in order to study
5
and improve foot comfort. This can be achieved by modifying the insoles geometrical design
and/or the formulation of the insoles materials.

Mimics has again proven to be an invaluable tool in creating an accurate, detailed and
anatomically correct 3D model based on scanner data. Mimics ability to generate perfect
patient-specific meshes and to export them to any FEA package, make it the tool of choice
for biomechanical research. Its user-friendliness and high performance design lift every
project to a higher level.

4 Bone structure + cartilages + soft


tissues in CATIA
5 Bone structure + cartilage meshes
in Abaqus
6 Von Mises stress analysis in Abaqus
7 7 Plantar contact pressure in Abaqus

Why choose Mimics?


Mimics translates a multitude of image modalities, including CT, MRI and MicroCT data, into complete
3D models very easily and quickly and its segmentation tools allow to separate the structures of interest
effortlessly.
A variety of applications is possible, from visualization to computer aided design (CAD), physical 3D medical
modeling and virtual modeling for finite element analysis (FEA) or computational fluid dynamics (CFD), to
virtual surgery simulation.
Mimics remesher allows automatic and accurate global and local remeshing in order to meet the stringent
mesh requirements for FEA or CFD. Sharp geometries and thin walls can be detected and locally refined,
which results in high-quality meshes to allow the user to perform precise analyses.
Mimics can assign material properties to the mesh based on the gray values (HU) in the image dataset.
This allows for more realistic finite element simulations.

Mimics, Materialise, and other names mentioned in this fl yer are registered trademarks and/or trade names either owned by or licensed to Materialise. No user has any right, title, or interest in those marks
or names not previously expressly granted in writing to such user by Materialise.

For more information:


medical@materialise.com or www.materialise.com/BiomedicalResearch www.materialise.com

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