Computational Models of Material Interfaces for the Study of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

TL;DR

This paper presents a computational approach to modeling shock wave propagation in extracorporeal shock wave therapy, capturing complex interactions with bone structures to improve understanding of treatment mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a 3D high-resolution finite volume simulation framework for shock wave propagation in ESWT, including complex bone geometries and interface effects.

Findings

Validated the computational model against experimental data.

Demonstrated accurate modeling of shock reflection and mode conversion.

Showed potential for optimizing ESWT treatment planning.

Abstract

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a noninvasive treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal ailments. A shock wave is generated in water and then focused using an acoustic lens or reflector so the energy of the wave is concentrated in a small treatment region where mechanical stimulation enhances healing. In this work we have computationally investigated shock wave propagation in ESWT by solving a Lagrangian form of the isentropic Euler equations in the fluid and linear elasticity in the bone using high-resolution finite volume methods. We solve a full three-dimensional system of equations and use adaptive mesh refinement to concentrate grid cells near the propagating shock. We can model complex bone geometries, the reflection and mode conversion at interfaces, and the the propagation of the resulting shear stresses generated within the bone. We discuss the validity of our simplified model and present results validating this approach.