The purpose of this project is to develop open access finite element models of the human craniocervical junction using open source software (FEBio Software Suite (https://febio.org/)). Models are developed from CT image data segmented in our laboratory (https://mrl.sci.utah.edu/) and from importing models to FEBio that were first developed for commercial codes. This project is a collaboration between the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Neurosurgery at the University of Utah, and we work closely with the FEBio development team.

Please see the following references for details about the models and cite these references when using the models for further publications:

Phuntsok R, Mazur MD, Ellis BJ, Ravindra VM, Brockmeyer DL: Development and initial evaluation of a finite element model of the pediatric craniocervical junction. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 17(4): 497-503, 2016.

Phuntsok R, Ellis BJ, Herron MR, Provost CW, Dailey AT, Brockmeyer DL: The occipitoatlantal capsular ligaments are the primary stabilizers of the occipitoatlantal joint in the craniocervical junction: a finite element analysis. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, 2019, In Press.

Phuntsok R, Provost CW, Dailey AT, Brockmeyer DL, Ellis BJ: The atlantoaxial capsular ligaments and transverse ligament are the primary stabilizers of the atlantoaxial joint in the craniocervical junction: a finite element analysis. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, 2019, In Press.