41 Volume 38 Issue 1 July 2009 Pages 41-47 International Scientific Journal published monthly by the World Academy of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Archives of Materials Science and Engineering © Copyright by International OCSCO World Press. All rights reserved. 2009 Biomechanical analysis of plate stabilization on cervical part of spine M. Kiel a, *, J. Marciniak a , J. Szewczenko a , M. Basiaga a , W. Wolañski b a Division of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland b Department of Applied Mechanics, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland * Corresponding author: E-mail address: marta.kiel@polsl.pl Received 12.03.2009; published in revised form 01.07.2009 ABSTRACT Purpose: The main aim of the work was determination of biomechanical analysis of cervical spine – stabilizer system made of stainless steel (Cr-Ni-Mo) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Design/methodology/approach: To define biomechanical characteristic of the system the finite elements method (FEM) was applied. Geometric model of part of spine C5-C7 and stabilizer were discretized by SOLID95 element. Appropriate boundary conditions imitating phenomena in real system with appropriate accuracy were established. Findings: The result of biomechanical analysis was calculation of displacements and stresses in the vertebras and the stabilizer in a function of the applied loading: 50-300 N for the stabilizer made of stainless steel (Cr-Ni-Mo) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Research limitations/implications: The result of biomechanical analysis for plate stabilizer obtained by FEM can be use to determine a construction features of the stabilizer, and to select mechanical properties of metallic biomaterial and estimation of stabilization quality. The calculation of displacements for part C5-C7 show that the proposed type of stabilizer enables correct stabilization used to clinical apply. Practical implications: The results of biomechanical analysis showed correct mechanical properties used to made the plate stabilizer. Originality/value: The obtained numerical results should be verified in “in vitro” tests. Keywords: Numerical techniques; Biomechanical analysis; Metallic materials; Biomaterials Reference to this paper should be given in the following way: M. Kiel, J. Marciniak, J. Szewczenko, M. Basiaga, W. Wolański, Biomechanical analysis of plate stabilization on cervical part of spine, Archives of Materials Science and Engineering 38/1 (2009) 41-47. METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH, ANALYSIS AND MODELLING 1. Introduction The spine is fundamental part of human skeleton. With the pelvis bones carried loads for legs. In cooperation with chest and shoulder girdle participation in hand movement. It is support for head. It is protecting for the spinal cord [1, 2]. The cervical part of spine have 7 vertebras. Cervical spondylosis as reduction of water content in an intervertebral disc, leading to change of its height thus being conducive to slip, is caused by mobility of this part of spine [2]. The spine is subjected to very complex and variable mechanical loads, especially during movement. Correct distribution of loads in a spine ensures correct formation of osteoarticular system [3]. Increasing tendency of diseases and dysfunctions of spine, caused mainly by car or sport accidents, explains the purposefulness 1. Introduction