Plantar pressure distribution is a thoroughly recognized parameter for evaluating foot structure and biomechanical behavior, as it is utilized to determine musculoskeletal conditions and diagnose foot abnormalities. Experimental testing is currently being utilized to investigate static foot conditions using invasive and noninvasive techniques. These methods are usually expensive and laborious, and they lack valuable data since they only evaluate compressive forces, missing the complex stress combinations the foot undergoes while standing. The present investigation applied medical and engineering methods to predict pressure points in a healthy foot soft tissue during normal standing conditions. Thus, a well-defined three-dimensional foot biomodel was constructed to be numerically analyzed through medical imaging. Two study cases were developed through a structural finite element analysis. The first study was developed to evaluate barefoot behavior deformation and stresses occurring in the plantar region. The results from this analysis were validated through baropodometric testing. Subsequently, a customized 3D model total-contact foot orthosis was designed to redistribute peak pressures appropriately, relieving the plantar region from excessive stress. The results in the first study case successfully demonstrated the prediction of the foot sole regions more prone to suffer a pressure concentration since the values are in good agreement with experimental testing. Employing a customized insole proved to be highly advantageous in fulfilling its primary function, reducing peak pressure points substantially. The main aim of this paper was to provide more precise insights into the biomechanical behavior of foot pressure points through engineering methods oriented towards innovative assessment for absolute customization for orthotic devices.

The use of titanium as a biomaterial for the treatment of dental implants has been successful and has become the most viable and common option. However, in the last three decades, new alternatives have emerged, such as polymers that could replace metallic materials. The aim of this research work is to demonstrate the structural effects caused by the fatigue phenomenon and the comparison with polymeric materials that may be biomechanically viable by reducing the stress shielding effect at the bone–implant interface. A numerical simulation was performed using the finite element method. Variables such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s coefficient, density, yield strength, ultimate strength, and the S-N curve were included. Prior to the simulation, a representative digital model of both a dental implant and the bone was developed. A maximum load of 550 N was applied, and the analysis was considered linear, homogeneous, and isotropic. The results obtained allowed us to observe the mechanical behavior of the dental implant by means of displacements and von Mises forces. They also show the critical areas where the implant tends to fail due to fatigue. Finally, this type of non-destructive analysis proves to be versatile, avoids experimentation on people and/or animals, and reduces costs, and the iteration is unlimited in evaluating various structural parameters (geometry, materials, properties, etc.).

The modelling of biological structures has allowed great advances in Engineering, Biology, and Medicine. In turn, these advances are seen from the design of footwear and sports accessories, to the design of prostheses, accessories and rehabilitation treatments. The reproduction of the various tissues has gone through an important evolution thanks to the development of computer systems and programs. However, knowledge of the medical‐biological and engineering areas continues to be required, and it involves a considerable investment of time and resources. The resulting biomodels still require great precision. The present work shows a methodology that allows to optimize computational resources and reduce elaboration time of biomodels. Through this methodology, it is possible to generate a biomodel of high biofidelity of a human knee. This biomodel is constituted by hard tissues (cortical and trabecular bones) and soft tissues (ligaments and meniscus) resulting in the modelling of the lower third of the femur, the tibial plateaus, the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, external lateral ligament, interior lateral ligaments, and the meniscus. With this model and methodology, it is possible to perform numerical analyses that will provide results very similar to those of real life. As, the methodology allows to assign the mechanical properties to each tissue and the anatomical structure.

The study of the phenomena occurring in the plantar region is remarkably intriguing, especially when performing a normal gait cycle where the foot is under loading conditions. The effects presented in the foot while walking provide relevant indicators regarding clinical means for enhancing regular performance or rehabilitation therapies. Nevertheless, more than traditional methods are needed to biomechanically evaluate foot structural conditions, leading to an incomplete database for determining the patient’s needs so that advanced methodologies provide detailed medical assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to employ technological engineering tools to optimize biomechanical plantar pressure evaluations to reach suitable personalized treatments. This research initially evaluated numerically the pressure points in the foot sole region in each one of the five stance phases in a normal gait cycle. Medical imaging techniques were utilized to construct an anatomically accurate biomodel of the soft tissues of the right foot. The Finite Element Method was employed to predict peak plantar pressure in barefoot conditions for all stance phases; results from this case study presented a close alignment with gait experimental testing implemented to analyze the feasibility and validation of all mechanical considerations for the numerical analyses. Hence, having a solid foundation in the biomechanical behavior from the first case study close estimates, a 3D-printable patient-specific insole was designed and numerically analyzed to observe the mechanical response in the plantar critical zones utilizing a personalized orthotic device. Results from the second case study notably demonstrated a crucial decrement in excessive pressure values. Employing morphological customization orthopedics modeling combined with 3D-printable materials is revolutionizing assistive device design and fabrication techniques. The fundamental contribution of this research relies on deepening the knowledge of foot biomechanics from an interdisciplinary approach by numerically analyzing pressure distribution in critical regions for all five stances phases; thus, based on the methods employed, the results obtained contribute to the advances of patient-specific foot orthopedics.

Experimental research on living beings faces several obstacles, which are more than ethical and moral issues. One of the proposed solutions to these situations is the computational modelling of anatomical structures. The present study shows a methodology for obtaining high-biofidelity biomodels, where a novel imagenological technique is used, which applies several CAM/CAD computer programs that allow a better precision for obtaining a biomodel, with highly accurate morphological specifications of the molar and tissues that shape the biomodel. The biomodel developed is the first lower molar subjected to a basic chewing simulation through the application of the finite element method, resulting in a viable model, able to be subjected to various simulations to analyse molar biomechanical characteristics, as well as pathological conditions to evaluate restorative materials and develop treatment plans. When research is focused in medical and dental investigation aspects, numerical analyses could allow the implementation of several tools commonly used by mechanical engineers to provide new answers to old problems in these areas. With this methodology, it is possible to perform high-fidelity models no matter the size of the anatomical structure, nor the complexity of its structure and internal tissues. So, it can be used in any area of medicine.

Numerical analysis computational programs are applied to the research of biological tissues, which have complex forms. Continuous technological advance has facilitated the development of biomodels to evaluate biological tissues of different human body systems using computerized axial tomography to produce complex three-dimensional models that represent the morphological and physiological characteristics of the real tissues. Biomodels are applied to numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method and provide a perspective of the mechanical behavior in the system. In this study, a numerical evaluation was performed by developing a biomodel of the humerus, radius, and ulna (the elbow joint, composed of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and cartilage). Also introduced to the biomodel were the ligaments of the capsule joint, collateral ligaments of the ulna, and collateral ligaments of the radius. The biomodel was imported into a computer program to perform a numerical analysis considering the mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bone (including elasticity modulus, shear modulus, Poisson relation, and density). The embedding conditions were defined to restrict displacements and rotations in the proximal zone of the humerus, applying a compression load to the other end of the biomodel at the distal area of the radius and ulna. The results are the direct consequence of how boundary conditions and external agents are applied to the structure to be analyzed, and the data obtained show how the behavior of the force applied through the component produces stresses and strains as a whole, as well as for each of the components. These stresses and strains can indicate zones with structural problems and the detection areas causing pain (assisting in a better diagnosis).