ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a simple understanding of Finite element analysis (FEA) and how it works, a basic appreciation for how biomaterials are used in FEA, and areas of recent application. Finite element analysis is a prominent tool for the analysis of structures built or designed from biomaterials. FEA has been applied to biomaterials to represent devices and evaluate designs in isolation as well in virtual use with tissues. FEA can provide insight into the role of biomaterials within normal and pathologic anatomy in a range of systems including within the heart, the heart itself, blood vessels, and orthopedic joints. Microstructurally motivated models of soft tissues built on FEA are less prevalent, perhaps due to the difficulty in modeling orthotropic and layered structures of many soft tissues, for example, heart valve tissue. FEA can be applied to analyze the biomaterials of a specific implant or tissue, or as a model of the microstructure of the substance or material itself.
