3D Printing Adjustable Stiffness External Fixator for Mechanically Stimulated Healing of Tibial Fractures

Figure 5

Topology optimization flow chart for optimal block structure dismantling sequence seeking and corresponding stiffness calculation. (a) FE model of the random numbered block structure external fixator; (b) properties and loading condition setup; (c) topology optimization of the entire external fixator for optimal block structure dismantling sequence; (d) dismantling of blocks; (e) stiffness calculation of new external fixator configuration;