Showing papers in "Journal of Biomechanical Engineering-transactions of The Asme in 1993"
TL;DR: Investigations during the 1980s in which fluid dynamic model experiments with physiologic geometries and flow conditions were employed to simulate arterial flows and in which morphometric mapping of intimal thickness was performed in human arteries revealed that atherosclerotic plaques tended to occur at sites of low and oscillating wall shear stress.
Abstract: Fluid dynamics research over the past twenty years has contributed immensely to our knowledge of atherosclerosis. The ability to detect localized atherosclerotic plaques using noninvasive ultrasonic methods was advanced significantly by investigations into the nature and occurrence of velocity disturbances created by arterial stenoses, and diagnosis of carotid bifurcation disease using a combination of ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurement of blood velocity is now quite routine. Since atherosclerotic plaques tend to be localized at sites of branching and artery curvature and since these locations would be expected to harbor complex flow patterns, investigators postulated that fluid dynamics might play an initiating role in atherogenesis. Several fluid dynamic variables were proposed as initiating factors. Investigations were undertaken during the 1980s in which fluid dynamic model experiments with physiologic geometries and flow conditions were employed to simulate arterial flows and in which morphometric mapping of intimal thickness was performed in human arteries. Correlations between fluid dynamic variables and intimal thickness revealed that atherosclerotic plaques tended to occur at sites of low and oscillating wall shear stress; and these observations were reinforced by studies in a monkey model of atherosclerosis. Concomitantly, it was realized that arteries adapt their diameters so as to maintain wall shear stress in a narrow range of values around 15 dynes/cm2, findings which were based both on observations of normal arteries and on animal studies in which flow rates were manipulated and arterial diameter adaptation was measured.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
504 citations
TL;DR: The two most commonly used sets of body fixed axes are compared and the differences between them quantified and are shown to be relevant in terms of practical applications of the JCS.
Abstract: The selection of an appropriate and/or standardized method for representing 3-D joint attitude and motion is a topic of popular debate in the field of biomechanics. The joint coordinate system (JCS) is one method that has seen considerable use in the literature. The JCS consists of an axis fixed in the proximal segment, an axis fixed in the distal segment, and a "floating" axis. There has not been general agreement in the literature on how to select the body fixed axes of the JCS. The purpose of this paper is to propose a single definition of the body fixed axes of the JCS. The two most commonly used sets of body fixed axes are compared and the differences between them quantified. These differences are shown to be relevant in terms of practical applications of the JCS. Argumentation is provided to support a proposal for a standardized selection of body fixed axes of the JCS consisting of the axis e1 embedded in the proximal segment and chosen to represent flexion-extension, the "floating" axis e2 chosen to represent ad-abduction, and the axis e3 embedded in the distal segment and chosen to represent axial rotation of that segment. The algorithms for the JCS are then documented using generalized terminology.
448 citations
TL;DR: There is now evidence that factors such as anisotropy and heterogeneity of individual trabeculae might also have a significant effect on the continuum-level properties, suggesting new directions for future research.
Abstract: We have reviewed highlights of the research in trabecular bone biomechanics performed over the past 20 years. Results from numerous studies have shown that trabecular bone is an extremely heterogeneous material--modulus can vary 100-fold even within the same metaphysis--with varying degrees of anisotropy. Strictly speaking, descriptions of the mechanical properties of trabecular bone should therefore be accompanied by specification of factors such as anatomic site, loading direction, and age. Research efforts have also been focused on the measurement of mechanical properties for individual trabeculae, improvement of methods for mechanical testing at the continuum level, quantification of the three-dimensional architecture of trabecular bone, and formulation of equations to relate the microstructural and continuum-level mechanical properties. As analysis techniques become more sophisticated, there is now evidence that factors such as anisotropy and heterogeneity of individual trabeculae might also have a significant effect on the continuum-level properties, suggesting new directions for future research. Other areas requiring further research are the time-dependent and multiaxial failure properties at the continuum level, and the stiffness and failure properties at the lamellar level. Continued research in these areas should enhance our understanding of issues such as age-related bone fracture, prosthesis loosening, and bone remodeling.
291 citations
TL;DR: A single cell model is required in order to gain further understanding of this complex phenomena and determined that the mechanical properties of the isolated axon are similar to those of other soft tissues, and include features such as a nonlinear load-deflection curve and a hysteresis loop upon unloading.
Abstract: There is a limited amount of information available on the mechanical and functional response of the nervous system to loading. While deformation of cerebral, spinal, or peripheral nerve tissue can have particularly severe consequences, most research in this area has concentrated on either demonstrating in-vivo functional changes and disclosing the effected anatomical pathways, or describing material deformations of the composite structure. Although such studies have successfully produced repeatable traumas, they have not addressed the mechanisms of these mechanically induced injuries. Therefore, a single cell model is required in order to gain further understanding of this complex phenomena. An isolated squid giant axon was subjected to controlled uniaxial loading and its mechanical and physiological responses were monitored with an instrument specifically designed for these experiments. These results determined that the mechanical properties of the isolated axon are similar to those of other soft tissues, and include features such as a nonlinear load-deflection curve and a hysteresis loop upon unloading. The mechanical response was modeled with the quasi-linear viscoelastic theory (Fung, 1972). The physiological response of the axon to quasi-static loading was a small reversible hyperpolarization; however, as the rate of loading was increased, the axon depolarized and the magnitude and the time needed to recover to the original resting potential increased in a nonlinear fashion. At elongations greater than twenty percent an irreversible injury occurs and the membrane potential does not completely recover to baseline.
246 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of advances made over the past twenty years in understanding diarthrodial joint biomechanics is presented, including contact area determinations, stereophotogrammetric rendering of articular surfaces, deformational field analysis using canonical problems, and finite element formulations for both infinitesimal and finite deformations of biphasic materials and precise anatomic surfaces.
Abstract: A survey of some of the advances made over the past twenty years in understanding diarthrodial joint biomechanics is presented. Topics covered in this review include: biotribology (i.e., friction, lubrication and wear of diarthrodial joints); contact area determinations; stereophotogrammetric rendering of articular surfaces; deformational field analysis using canonical problems; and finite element formulations for both infinitesimal and finite deformations of biphasic materials and precise anatomic surfaces. Suggestions are made for future research directions as well.
245 citations
TL;DR: Models of contracting ventricular myocardium were used to study the effects of different assumptions concerning active tension development on the distributions of stress and strain in the equatorial region of the intact left ventricle during systole.
Abstract: Models of contracting ventricular myocardium were used to study the effects of different assumptions concerning active tension development on the distributions of stress and strain in the equatorial region of the intact left ventricle during systole. Three models of cardiac muscle contraction were incorporated in a cylindrical model for passive left ventricular mechanics developed previously [Guccione et al. ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Vol. 113, pp. 42-55 (1991)]. Systolic sarcomere length and fiber stresses predicted by a general "deactivation" model of cardiac contraction [Guccione and McCulloch, ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Vol. 115, pp. 72-81 (1993)] were compared with those computed using two less complex models of active fiber stress: In a time-varying "elastance" model, isometric tension development was computed from a function of peak intracellular calcium concentration, time after contraction onset and sarcomere length; a "Hill" model was formulated by scaling this isometric tension using the force-velocity relation derived from the deactivation model. For the same calcium ion concentration, the sarcomeres in the deactivation model shortened approximately 0.1 microns less throughout the wall at end-systole than those in the other models. Thus, muscle fibers in the intact ventricle are subjected to rapid length changes that cause deactivation during the ejection phase of a normal cardiac cycle. The deactivation model predicted rather uniform transmural profiles of fiber stress and cross-fiber stress distributions that were almost identical to those of the radial component. These three components were indistinguishable from the principal stresses. Transmural strain distributions predicted at end-systole by the deactivation model agreed closely with experimental measurements from the anterior free wall of the canine left ventricle.
234 citations
TL;DR: A new methodology was utilized to simulate physiological loading conditions and to perform an anterior-posterior (A-P) translation test on a human cadaveric knee, showing that this new system can stimulate complexloading conditions and also measure the resulting joint kinematics.
Abstract: Robotics technologies have been modified to control and measure both the force and position of synovial joints for the study of joint kinematics. One such system was developed to perform kinematic testing of a human joint. A 6-axis articulated robotic manipulator with 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) of motion was designed and constructed; a mathematical description for joint force and position was devised; and hardware and software to control forces applied to the joint, as well as position of the joint, were developed. The new methodology was utilized to simulate physiological loading conditions and to perform an anterior-posterior (A-P) translation test on a human cadaveric knee. Testing showed that this new system can simulate complex loading conditions and also measure the resulting joint kinematics.
208 citations
TL;DR: The author reviews constitutive laws proposed for the description of stress-strain relationships of arterial walls and methods for the parametric expression of pressure-diameter data, and shows data on the effects of aging and vascular diseases on arterial mechanics.
Abstract: Studies on the elastic properties of arterial walls which have been done for the past two decades are surveyed briefly. After several in vitro and in vivo experimental methods and clinical techniques for the measurements of the mechanical behavior of arterial walls have been reviewed, data obtained of the basic characteristics of the arterial wall, including wall incompressibility and anisotropy, are discussed. The author then reviews constitutive laws proposed for the description of stress-strain relationships of arterial walls and methods for the parametric expression of pressure-diameter data, and shows data on the effects of aging and vascular diseases on arterial mechanics. Finally, residual stress in the arterial wall is discussed.
199 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that for the study of mass transport and stress fibers in the endothelium, one should consider the interaction of neighboring endothelial cells as a continuum, and shift attention from the shear stress in the blood to the principal stresses in the cells.
Abstract: The endothelium lining human arteries is a continuum of endothelial cells. The flowing blood imposes a shear stress on the endothelium. To compute the internal stress in the endothelium, we use two alternative hypotheses: 1) The cell content is fluid-like so that at steady-state it has no shear stress. 2) The cell content is solid-like. Under hypothesis No. 1, the membrane tension in the upper cell membrane grows in the direction opposite to the blood flow at a rate equal to the blood shear stress. At the junction of two neighboring cells the membrane tension in the downstream cell is transmitted partly to the basal lamina, and partly to the upstream cell. The transmission depends on the osmotic or static pressure difference between the cell and blood. If the static pressure difference is zero, the tension in the upper cell membrane will accumulate upstream. At other values of static pressure, the cell membrane tension may increase, decrease, or fluctuate along the vessel depending on the inclination of the side walls of the cells at the junctions. To determine the sidewall inclinations, we propose to use the complementary energy theorem. Under hypothesis No. 2, the cell content can bear shear, which tends to reduce the cell membrane tension; but the cell membrane tension accumulation phenomenon discussed above remains valid. These results are used to analyze the interaction of the cell membrane and cell nucleus; and the effect of turbulences in the flow on causing large fluctuations in cell membrane tension and vertical oscillations of the nuclei. The implication of tensile stress on the permeability of the cell membrane is discussed. We conclude that for the study of mass transport and stress fibers in the endothelial cells, one should consider the interaction of neighboring endothelial cells as a continuum, and shift attention from the shear stress in the blood to the principal stresses in the cells.
178 citations
TL;DR: A survey of developments in mathematical modeling of ligaments and tendons over the past 20 years is presented; quasi-linear viscoelasticity (QLV), which has been widely used in the past20 years, and the recently proposed single integral finite strain (SIFS) model are discussed.
Abstract: Ligaments and tendons severe a variety of important functions in maintaining the structure of the human body. Although aboundant literature exists describing experimental investigations of these tissues, mathematical modeling of ligaments and tendons also contributes significantly to understanding their behavior. This paper presents a survey of developments in mathematical modelling of ligaments and tendons over the past 20 years. Mathematical descriptions of ligaments and tendons are identified as either elastic or viscoelastic, and are discussed in chronological order
171 citations
TL;DR: Constitutive relations for active fiber stress in cardiac muscle are proposed and parameters are found that allow these relations to fit experimental data from the literature, including the tension redeveloped following rapid deactivating length perturbations.
Abstract: Constitutive relations for active fiber stress in cardiac muscle are proposed and parameters are found that allow these relations to fit experimental data from the literature, including the tension redeveloped following rapid deactivating length perturbations. Contraction is driven by a length-independent free calcium transient. The number of actin sites available to react with myosin is determined from the total number of actin sites (available and inhibited), free calcium and the length history-dependent association and dissociation rates of two Ca2+ ions and troponin as governed by a first-order, classical kinetics, differential equation. Finally, the relationship between active tension and the number of available actin sites is described by a general cross-bridge model. Bridges attach in a single configuration at a constant rate, the force within each cross-bridge varies linearly with position, and the rate constant of bridge detachment depends both on position and time after onset of contraction. In Part II, these constitutive relations for active stress are incorporated in a continuum mechanics model of the left ventricle that predicted end-systolic transmural strain distributions as observed experimentally.
TL;DR: The results imply that if no stress is applied to the autograft in the case of augmentative reconstruction of the knee ligament, the graft strength decreases remarkably.
Abstract: Mechanical properties of the stress-shielded patellar tendon were studied in the rabbit knee. Stress shielding was accomplished by stretching a stainless-steel wire installed between the patella and tibial tubercle and thus, releasing the tension in the patellar tendon completely. Tensile tests were carried out on the specimens obtained from the patellar tendons which were exposed to the stress shielding for 1 to 6 weeks. The stress shielding changed the mechanical properties of the patellar tendon significantly: it decreased the tangent modulus and tensile strength to 9 percent of the control values after 3 weeks. There was a 131 percent increase in the cross-sectional area and a 15 percent decrease in the tendinous length. Remarkable changes were also observed in the structural properties: for example, the maximum load of the bone-tendon complex decreased to 20 percent of the control value after 3 weeks. Histological studies showed that the stress shielding increased the number of fibroblasts and decreased the longitudinally aligned collagen bundles. These results imply that if no stress is applied to the autograft in the case of augmentative reconstruction of the knee ligament, the graft strength decreases remarkably.
TL;DR: A theoretical analysis is presented predicting the closure of small airways in the region of the terminal and respiratory bronchioles by a coupled capillary-elastic instability leading to liquid bridge formation, wall collapse or a combination of both.
Abstract: A theoretical analysis is presented predicting the closure of small airways in the region of the terminal and respiratory bronchioles. The airways are modelled as thin elastic tubes, coated on the inside with a thin viscous liquid lining. This model produces closure by a coupled capillary-elastic instability leading to liquid bridge formation, wall collapse or a combination of both. Nonlinear evolution equations for the film thickness, wall position and surfactant concentration are derived using an extended version of lubrication theory for thin liquid films. The positions of the air-liquid and wall-liquid interfaces and the surfactant concentration are perturbed about uniform states and the stability of these perturbations is examined by solving the governing equations numerically. Solutions show that there is a critical film thickness, dependent on fluid, wall and surfactant properties above which liquid bridges form. The critical film thickness, epsilon c, decreases with increasing mean surface-tension or wall compliance. Surfactant increases epsilon c by as much as 60 percent for physiological conditions, consistent with physiological observations. Airway closure occurs more rapidly with increasing film thickness and wall flexibility. The closure time for a surfactant rich interface can be approximately five times greater than an interface free of surfactant.
TL;DR: These studies demonstrate that flow and the associated shear stress modulate both endothelial cell structure and function and these effects of mechanical environment extend to the gene expression level, with there being a differential regulation of mRNA.
Abstract: The endothelium, once thought to be a passive, non-thrombogenic barrier, is now recognized as being a dynamic participant in vascular biology and pathobiology. Part of its dynamic nature is due to the influence of the mechanical environment imposed by the hemodynamics of the vascular system. Over the past two decades much has been learned about the influence of hemodynamics on the vascular endothelium. This has been in part through in vivo experiments; however, in the past 15 years a number of laboratories have turned to the application of in vitro cell culture systems to investigate the influence of flow and cyclic stretch on the biology of vascular endothelium. Taken together these studies demonstrate that flow and the associated shear stress modulate both endothelial cell structure and function. Cell culture studies employing cyclic stretch provide similar evidence. Furthermore, these effects of mechanical environment extend to the gene expression level, with there being a differential regulation of mRNA. A critical question is how does an endothelial cell recognize the mechanical environment in which it resides and, having done so, how is this transduced into the changes in structure and function observed? Although our knowledge of the recognition events remains limited, studies on signal transduction in response to a mechanical stimulus indicate that many of the second messengers known to be triggered by chemical agonists also are involved in transducing a mechanical signal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: Functional testing such as gait analysis has proven to be an important basic research tool as well as extremely effective for clinical testing of new procedures and devices.
Abstract: This paper examines the biomechanics of total knee arthroplasty as a treatment for arthritis and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction for repair of torn anterior cruciate ligaments of the knee. These are two of the most frequent reconstructive procedures for the knee joint. Functional testing of patients while performing various activities of daily living was used to study the relationship between the intrinsic biomechanics of the knee and function. The results of the study of patients following total knee replacement demonstrated a dynamic interaction between the posterior cruciate ligament and quadriceps function during stairclimbing. The study of patients with ACL-deficient knees demonstrated that loss of the anterior cruciate ligament can cause the avoidance of quadriceps contraction during activities when the knee is near full extension. Other studies demonstrated a relationship between tibiofemoral joint mechanics and patellofemoral mechanics. In addition, the importance of combined ligamentous laxity with higher than normal adduction moments during gait was examined in relationship to progressive degenerative changes to the medial compartment of the knee. In summary, functional testing such as gait analysis has proven to be an important basic research tool as well as extremely effective for clinical testing of new procedures and devices.
TL;DR: Advances in FEA have brought FEA from a continuum stress analysis tool to a tool which plays an ever-increasing role in the scientific understanding of tissue structure, adaptation, and the optimal design of orthopaedic implants.
Abstract: The introduction of finite element analysis (FEA) into orthopaedic biomechanics allowed continuum structural analysis of bone and bone-implant composites of complicated shapes (Huiskes and Chao, J. Biomechanics, Vol. 16, 1983, pp. 385-409). However, besides having complicated shapes, musculoskeletal tissues are hierarchical composites with multiple structural levels that adapt to their mechanical environment. Mechanical adaptation influences the success of many orthopaedic treatments, especially total joint replacements. Recent advances in FEA applications have begun to address questions concerning the optimality of bone structure, the processes of bone remodeling, the mechanics of soft hydrated tissues, and the mechanics of tissues down to the microstructural and cell levels. Advances in each of these areas, which have brought FEA from a continuum stress analysis tool to a tool which plays an ever-increasing role in the scientific understanding of tissue structure, adaptation, and the optimal design of orthopaedic implants, are reviewed.
TL;DR: The basic concepts employed in formulating models of the process of stress adaptation in living bone tissue are reviewed in this paper, and rationale is given for the preference of surface bone remodeling approaches over internal bone remodelling approaches, and for interactive multi-scale, rather than mono-scale level computational strategies.
Abstract: The basic concepts employed in formulating models of the process of stress adaptation in living bone tissue are reviewed. A purpose of this review is to define and separate issues in the formulation of bone remodeling theories. After discussing the rationale and objective of these models, the concepts and techniques involved in the modeling process are reviewed one by one. It is concluded that some techniques will be more successful than others in achieving the goals of computational bone remodeling. In particular, rationale is given for the preference of surface bone remodeling approaches over internal bone remodeling approaches, and for interactive multi-scale level, rather than mono-scale level, computational strategies
TL;DR: Comparisons with the limited qualitative data available on intimal thickening in vascular graft anastomoses suggest a relation between localization of vascular intimal Thickening and those surfaces experiencing low shear and long particle residence time.
Abstract: Flow behavior in models of end-to-side vascular graft anastomoses was studied under steady and pulsatile flow conditions. Models were constructed to simulate geometries employed in experimental studies on intimal thickening in a canine model. Reynolds numbers, division of flow in the outflow tracts and the pulsatile waveform employed were taken from measurements obtained in the canine model. Flows in the scaled-up, transparent models were visualized with white, neutrally buoyant particles which were photographed under laser illumination and also recorded on video tape under bright incandescent light. Strong, three-dimensional helical patterns which formed in the anastomotic junction were prominent features of the flow fields. Regions of low wall shear, oscillatory wall shear and long particle residence time were identified from the flow visualization experiments. Comparisons with the limited qualitative data available on intimal thickening in vascular graft anastomoses suggest a relation between localization of vascular intimal thickening and those surfaces experiencing low shear and long particle residence time.
TL;DR: Experimental and numerical methods have been used to determine the overall features of the flow, the stresses on the aneurysm walls in laminar flow, and the onset and characteristics of turbulent flow, which demonstrate that a slug of turbulence in the entrance tube grows much more rapidly in theAneurysms than in a corresponding length of uniform cross section pipe.
Abstract: Steady flow in abdominal aortic aneurysm models has been examined for four aneurysm sizes over Reynolds numbers from 500 to 2600. The Reynolds number is based on entrance tube diameter, and the inlet condition is fully developed flow. Experimental and numerical methods have been used to determine: (i) the overall features of the flow, (ii) the stresses on the aneurysm walls in laminar flow, and (iii) the onset and characteristics of turbulent flow. The laminar flow field is characterized by a jet of fluid (passing directly through the aneurysm) surrounded by a recirculating vortex. The wall shear stress magnitude in the recirculation zone is about ten times less than in the entrance tube. Both wall shear stress and wall normal stress profiles exhibit large magnitude peaks near the reattachment point at the distal end of the aneurysm. The onset of turbulence in the model is intermittent for 2000 < Re < 2500. The results demonstrate that a slug of turbulence in the entrance tube grows much more rapidly in the aneurysm than in a corresponding length of uniform cross section pipe. When turbulence is present in the aneurysm the recirculation zone breaks down and the wall shear stress returns to a magnitude comparable to that in the entrance tube.
TL;DR: In this article, the biaxial mechanical properties of right ventricular free wall (RVFW) myocardium were studied and it was found to be consistently anisotropic, with a greater stiffness along the preferred (or averaged) fiber direction.
Abstract: The biaxial mechanical properties of right ventricular free wall (RVFW) myocardium were studied. Tissue specimens were obtained from the sub-epicardium of potassium-arrested hearts and different stretch protocols were used to characterize the myocardium's mechanical response. To assess regional differences, we excised tissue specimens from the conus and sinus regions. The RVFW myocardium was found to be consistently anisotropic, with a greater stiffness along the preferred (or averaged) fiber direction. The anisotropy in the conus region was more pronounced than in the sinus region. A comparison with studies of left ventricle (LV) midwall myocardium revealed that, 1) the fiber direction stiffnesses are greater in the RVFW than in the LV, 2) the degree of anisotropy is greater in the RVFW than in the LV.
TL;DR: A computer model predicted sarcomere shortening of up to 0.5 micron due to tendon lengthening which demonstrates that tendons provide a more complex physiological function than simply transmitting muscle force to bones.
Abstract: Strain was measured along the length of frog (Rana pipiens) gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units (MTU). Maximum muscle tension (P0) was measured, and the MTU was passively loaded to P0. Strain at P0 was measured at eight intervals along the tendon and aponeurosis and was approximately two percent for all regions except the aponeurosis region closest to the muscle fibers where it was about six percent. A computer model predicted sarcomere shortening of up to 0.5 micron due to tendon lengthening which demonstrates that tendons provide a more complex physiological function than simply transmitting muscle force to bones.
TL;DR: Changes in the mechanical properties of a blood vessel when it remodels itself under stress are reviewed and a key thought is to use bending of the blood vessel wall to solve the inverse problem of determining the stress-strain law from measured stress and strain.
Abstract: Changes in the mechanical properties of a blood vessel when it remodels itself under stress are reviewed. One of the recent findings about blood vessels is the rapidity of tissue remodeling when the blood pressure is changed. When the tissue structure and material composition remodel, the zero-stress state of the vessel changes. The mechanical properties change also in the remodeling process. If the elastic behavior is expressed in terms of a pseudo-elastic strain-energy function, then the constants in the function will change in the course of the remodeling. With all these changes taking place, the scope of constitutive equations broadens: it should now include a mass-and-structure growth-stress relationship as well as a stress-strain-relationship. To obtain the mass-and-structure growth-stress relationship, one must be able to determine the mechanical properties of the different layers of the vessel wall, as well as the chemical composition and morphology. For the blood vessels, new methods of mechanical testing must be introduced. A key thought is to use bending of the blood vessel wall. By bending, different layers of the vessel wall are subjected to different stresses, leading to equations that can be used to solve the inverse problem of determining the stress-strain law from measured stress and strain. In vitro and in vivo experiments and theoretical prospectives are presented.
TL;DR: Two modes of ultrasonic signals have been used in a Model UH3 Scanning Acoustic Microscope as part of a continuing study of the microstructural properties of bone.
Abstract: Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) provides the means for studying the elastic properties of a material at a comparable level of resolution to that obtained by optical microscopy for structural studies. SAM is nondestructive and permits observation of properties in the interior of materials which are optically opaque. Two modes of ultrasonic signals have been used in a Model UH3 Scanning Acoustic Microscope (Olympus Co., Tokyo, Japan) as part of a continuing study of the microstructural properties of bone. The pulse mode, using a single narrow pulse in the range of 30 MHz to 100 MHz, has been used to survey the surface and interior of specimens of human and canine femoral compact cortical bone at resolutions down to approximately 30 microns. To obtain more detailed information at significantly higher resolution, the burst mode, comprised of tens of sinusoids, has been used at frequencies from 200 MHz to 600 MHz. This has provided details of both human and canine single osteons (or haversion systems) and ostenoic lamellae at resolutions down to approximately 1.7 microns, well within the thickness of a lamella as viewed in a specimen cut transverse to the femoral axis.
TL;DR: Numerical simulations of the flow field within a two-dimensional 45 degree rigid-walled end-to-side model anastomosis indicated elevated instantaneous wall shear stress magnitudes at the toe and heel of the graft-host junction and along the host artery bed, providing additional evidence that intimal hyperplasia may be correlated to wallShear stresses over the cardiac cycle, high wall Shear stress gradients, or a combination of the three.
Abstract: In order to understand the possible role that hemodynamic factors may play in the pathogenesis of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia, we carried out numerical simulations of the flow field within a two-dimensional 45 degree rigid-walled end-to-side model anastomosis. The numerical code was tested and compared with experimental (photochromic dye tracer) studies using steady and near-sinusoidal waveforms, and agreement was generally very good. Using a normal human superficial femoral artery waveform, numerical simulations indicated elevated instantaneous wall shear stress magnitudes at the toe and heel of the graft-host junction and along the host artery bed. These sites also experienced highly variable wall shear stress behavior over the cardiac cycle, as well as elevated spatial gradients of wall shear stress. These observations provide additional evidence that intimal hyperplasia may be correlated to wall shear stresses over the cardiac cycle, high wall shear stress gradients, or a combination of the three. The limitations of the present work (especially in regard to the two-dimensional nature of the flow simulations) are discussed, and results are compared to previous observations about distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia.
TL;DR: A review of the current status on the understanding of the complex flow dynamics in the aorta is presented and the importance of secondary flow in the descendingAorta on the perfusion of distal blood vessels as well as in the iliac bifurcation is included in the discussion.
Abstract: The aorta is the major blood vessel transporting blood pumped by the left ventricle to the systemic circulation. The tricuspid aortic value at the root of the aorta provides a centralized flow with nearly uniform velocity profile into the ascending aorta. The aorta consisting of the ascending limb, the aortic arch, and the descending segment is a vessel of complex geometry including curvature in multiple planes, branches and bifurcation as well as taper. The understanding of the development of blood flow in this distensible vessel has been the subject of several theoretical as well as experimental investigations. Flow development in the aorta and in the branch vessels has been of interest in delineating the role of wall shear stresses on the etiology of atherosclerosis. In this paper, a review of the current status on our understanding of the complex flow dynamics in the aorta is presented. With the advent of transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance velocity mapping, further evidence of the presence of secondary flows even in the descending aorta has been reported. The importance of the effect of secondary flow in the descending aorta on the perfusion of distal blood vessels (such as superior mesenteric and renal arterial branches) as well as in the iliac bifurcation is also included in the discussion.
TL;DR: An analytical model is developed to predict ice formation inside mouse oocytes subjected to a freezing stress and excellent agreement between predictions and observations suggests that the proposed model of IIF is adequate.
Abstract: Successful protocols for cryopreservation of living cells can be designed if the physicochemical conditions to preclude intracellular ice formation (IIF) can be defined. Unfortunately, all attempts to predict the probability of IIF have met with very limited success. In this study, an analytical model is developed to predict ice formation inside mouse oocytes subjected to a freezing stress. According to the model, IIF is catalyzed heterogeneously by the plasma membrane (i.e., surface catalyzed nucleation, SCN). A local site on the plasma membrane is assumed to become an ice nucleator in the presence of the extracellular ice via its effects on the membrane. This interaction is characterized by the contact angle between the plasma membrane and the ice cluster. In addition, IIF is assumed to be catalyzed at temperatures below -30 degrees C by intracellular particles distributed throughout the cell volume (i.e., volume catalyzed nucleation, VCN). In the present study, these two distinctly coupled modes of IIF, especially SCN, are applied to various experimental protocols from mouse oocytes. Excellent agreement between predictions and observations suggests that the proposed model of IIF is adequate.
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that the original flexural properties of whole mouse femora are preserved by air dehydration and can be recovered using appropriate saline rehydration intervals.
Abstract: The effects of bone water content during dehydration and rehydration on the flexural properties of whole mouse femora were evaluated using three-point bending. The elastic and plastic flexural properties of the bones were determined on a dry mass normalized basis over dehydration times ranging from 0.25 to 48.0 hr; and (following complete dehydration) rehydration times ranging from 0.08 to 12.0 hr. Bones stored in physiological saline for times < 1 hr served as the control group. As expected, dehydration produced increased stiffness and strength along with decreased ductility. Upon rehydration, a statistically significant linear dependence of mechanical properties on recovered free water was obtained for all parameters except the maximum load. Elastic mechanical properties comparable to the controls were regained at differing rates and levels of recovered water content; however, after 3 hr of rehydration there were no statistically significant differences with respect to the control values. The results of this study indicate that the original flexural properties of whole mouse femora are preserved by air dehydration and can be recovered using appropriate saline rehydration intervals.
TL;DR: The results indicate that increasing pulse amplitude and/or duration produced a decrease in the magnitude of the tibio-femoral contact force, indicating thus a reduction in the joint stiffness.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to develop a two-dimensional dynamic model of the knee joint to simulate its response under sudden impact. The knee joint is modeled as two rigid bodies, representing a fixed femur and a moving tibia, connected by 10 nonlinear springs representing the different fibers of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, and the posterior part of the capsule. In the analysis, the joint profiles were represented by polynomials. Model equations include three nonlinear differential equations of motion and three nonlinear algebraic equations representing the geometric constraints. A single point contact was assumed to exist at all times. Numerical solutions were obtained by applying Newmark constant-average-acceleration scheme of differential approximation to transform the motion equations into a set of nonlinear simultaneous algebraic equations. The equations reduced thus to six nonlinear algebraic equations in six unknowns. The Newton-Raphson iteration technique was then used to obtain the solution. Knee response was determined under sudden rectangular pulsing posterior forces applied to the tibia and having different amplitudes and durations. The results indicate that increasing pulse amplitude and/or duration produced a decrease in the magnitude of the tibio-femoral contact force, indicating thus a reduction in the joint stiffness. It was found that the anterior fibers of the posterior cruciate and the medial collateral ligaments are the primary restraints for a posterior forcing pulse in the range of 20 to 90 degrees of knee flexion; this explains why most isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries and combined injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral results from a posterior impact on a flexed knee.
TL;DR: In this paper the use of the micropipet to measure red cell and white cell, especially neutrophil, deformation will be described and the viscoelastic models used to describe the deformation behavior of red cell membrane and neutrophIL cytoplasm will be discussed.
Abstract: The largest human blood cells--the red cells (erythrocytes) and white cells (leukocytes)--must undergo a significant amount of deformation as they squeeze through the smallest vessels of the circulation and the small openings between bone, vessel and tissue. This ability to deform in response to external forces shows that cells exhibit material behavior and behave as either elastic solids or viscous liquids. The question then is "how can we measure the deformation and flow of something as small as a blood cell and what kinds of constitutive equations describe cellular deformation"? In this paper the use of the micropipet to measure red cell and white cell, especially neutrophil, deformation will be described and the viscoelastic models used to describe the deformation behavior of red cell membrane and neutrophil cytoplasm will be discussed. Values for the elasticities of a red cell membrane subjected to shear, area expansion and bending will be given. The viscosity of red cell membrane in shear will also be discussed. Finally, the cortical tension of the neutrophil and the Newtonian and Maxwell models used to characterize its apparent viscosity will be discussed even though neither is wholly successful in describing the viscous behavior of the neutrophil. Thus, alternate models will be suggested.
TL;DR: The B-spline least-squares surface-fitting method is employed to create geometric models of diarthrodial joint articular surfaces and can be successfully applied to a large variety of articular surface shapes.
Abstract: The B-spline least-squares surface-fitting method is employed to create geometric models of diarthrodial joint articular surfaces. This method provides a smooth higher-order surface approximation from experimental three-dimensional surface data that have been obtained with any suitable measurement technique. Akima's method for surface interpolation is used to provide complete support to the B-spline surface. The surface-fitting method is successfully tested on a known analytical surface, and is applied to the human distal femur. Applications to other articular surfaces are also shown. Results show that this method is precise, highly flexible, and can be successfully applied to a large variety of articular surface shapes.