Background and Objective: The development of biomechanical models of the torso and the spine opens the door to computational solutions for the design of braces for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, the design of such biomechanical models faces several unknowns, such as the correct identification of relevant mechanical elements, or the required accuracy of model parameters. The objective of this study was to design a methodology for the identification of the aforementioned elements, with the purpose of creating personalized models suited for patient-specific brace design and the definition of parameter estimation criteria.

Methods: We have developed a comprehensive model of the torso, including spine, ribcage and soft tissue, and we have developed computational tools for the analysis of the model parameters. With these tools, we perform an analysis of the model under typical loading conditions of scoliosis braces.

Results: We present a complete sensitivity analysis of the models mechanical parameters and a comparison between a reference healthy subject and a subject suffering from scoliosis. Furthermore, we make a direct connection between error bounds on the deformation and tolerances for parameter estimation, which can guide the personalization of the model.

Conclusions: Not surprisingly, the stiffness parameters that govern the lateral deformation of the spine in the frontal plane are some of the most relevant parameters, and require careful modeling. More surprisingly, their relevance is on par with the correct parameterization of the soft tissue of the torso. For scoliosis patients, but not for healthy subjects, we observe that the axial rotation of the spine also requires careful modeling.

背景和目的：躯干和脊柱生物力学模型的发展为青少年特发性脊柱侧弯支具设计的计算解决方案打开了大门。然而，此类生物力学模型的设计面临着几个未知数，例如相关机械元件的正确识别，或模型参数所需的准确性。本研究的目的是设计一种方法来识别上述元素，目的是创建适合患者特定支架设计的个性化模型和参数估计标准的定义。

方法：我们开发了躯干的综合模型，包括脊柱、胸腔和软组织，并且我们开发了用于分析模型参数的计算工具。使用这些工具，我们可以在脊柱侧弯支具的典型负载条件下对模型进行分析。

结果：我们对模型力学参数进行了完整的敏感性分析，并对参考健康受试者和患有脊柱侧弯的受试者进行了比较。此外，我们在变形的误差界限和参数估计的容差之间建立了直接联系，这可以指导模型的个性化。

结论：毫不奇怪，控制额状面脊柱侧向变形的刚度参数是一些最相关的参数，需要仔细建模。更令人惊讶的是，它们的相关性与躯干软组织的正确参数化相当。对于脊柱侧弯患者，而不是健康受试者，我们观察到脊柱的轴向旋转也需要仔细建模。