Numerical Simulation of Reconstructive Surgery of Scoliosis and Funnel Chest by the Developed Mechanical Structural Model of Spine-Thorax

Abstract

Spine is a basic element for maintenance of trunk of body and the physical motion and it has a structure which affords the rigidity as an attitude maintenance mechanism (or a stability) and the mobility as a joint mechanism simultaneously. And the thorax is a structure which affords the stability (rigidity) to protect the internal organs such as a heart and lungs and the mobility which makes the movement of the costal bone for breathing exercise. Therefore the spine-thorax is a compound structure which has stability and mobility, and this fundamental nature is based on mechanics. And its dysfunction is mainly based on the mechanical factors. When the dysfunction happens, a treatment is executed by a mechanical reconstruction. And if it is severe, a surgery is selected for the treatment. This paper develops a method of the mechanical simulation of the reconstructive surgery to help the diagnosis and the treatment.