Prediction of mechanical properties of the cancellous bone of the mandibular condyle

The mechanical properties of cancellous bone depend on the bone structure. The present study examined the extent to which the apparent stiffness of the cancellous bone of the human mandibular condyle can be predicted from its structure. Two models were compared. The first, a structure model, used structural parameters such as bone volume fraction and anisotropy to estimate the apparent stiffness. The second was a finite element model (FEM) of the cancellous bone. The bone structure was characterized by micro-computed tomography. The calculated stiffnesses of 24 bone samples were compared with measured stiffnesses. Both models could predict 89% of the variation in the measured stiffnesses. From the stiffness approximated by FEM in combination with the measured stiffness, the stiffness of the bone tissue was estimated to be 11.1 +/- 3.2 GPa. It was concluded that both models could predict the stiffness of cancellous bone with adequate accuracy.     

Assessment of the pore geometry of stereolithographic models by high resolution MRI

It is becoming increasingly evident that material strength and other mechanical properties depend not only on the density but also on the internal architecture of the structure in question. The internal structures of five different stereolithographic samples were examined noninvasively using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The image analysis techniques of segmentation applied to the acquired images allowed the quantification of the structural parameters mean pore size and pore separation. These parameters were quantified along many angular orientations with a spatial resolution of 0.12 mm, and their distributions clearly revealed the structural anisotropy of the samples.     

Minimally invasive iliac cancellous bone graft harvesting

We have described a technique for harvesting cancellous bone from the ilium that is minimally invasive and safe. This technique results in minimal donor-site morbidity, is quick and easy to perform without the need for special equipment or instruments, and allows a two-team operative approach. Sufficient bone graft material can be obtained for wide or bilateral clefts. We now use this technique routinely to harvest cancellous bone for secondary alveolar bone grafting in children with clefts. The procedure could be used in adults, it could also be used to obtain bone graft for treating other conditions, and other donor sites could be approached with the same technique.     

Comparative investigations of algorithms for the detection of breaths in newborns with disturbed respiratory signals

There is a widespread clinical need for bone augmentation and replacement. The major solid phases of bone are collagen and calcium phosphate and a bone analogue based on these two constituents should have some useful properties. In this review this theme is developed and the properties of natural and naturally based composites are compared. Composites have been produced by the precipitation of calcium phosphates on to collagen and a summary of the methods and results from mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy are presented. Composites with mechanical properties intermediate between cancellous and cortical bone have been produced. The review concludes by explaining some of the mechanical properties of the composites, using knowledge of the hierarchical architecture of bone and results from microscopical examination of the fractured composites.     

In times of survival, the right of silence

The purpose of this study was to assess cortical and cancellous bone responses to unilateral limb immobilization and, subsequently, to remobilization with exercise, in a young adult canine model. Right forelimbs of 14 1-2-year old mongrel dogs were immobilized in a non-weight-bearing position by a bandage for 16 weeks. Six control dogs were untreated. At 16 weeks, seven immobilized and three control dogs were euthanized. The remaining seven immobilized dogs began a recovery protocol consisting of 16 weeks of kennel confinement (without the right forelimb bandaged) followed by 16 weeks of treadmill exercise conducted three times per week. These seven dogs and three control dogs were euthanized at 48 weeks. Bone mineral density of the proximal radii was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and humeral middiaphyseal cross-sectional areas were determined with computed tomography. Humeri were tested in cranio-caudal three-point bending to failure. Cancellous bone cores from the lateral humeral condyles had wet apparent density determined and were tested to failure in compression. Mechanical properties, bone density, and cross-sectional areas were compared between immobilized (right forelimb), contralateral weight bearing (left forelimb), and control forelimbs with Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc tests. At 16 weeks, bone mineral density, cortical load, yield, and stiffness as well as cancellous bone failure stress, yield stress, and modulus were significantly lower (p < 0.02) for immobilized limbs than control limbs. Immobilized limb cancellous bone mechanical properties were 28%-74% of control values, and cortical bone mechanical properties were 71%-98% of control values. After 32 weeks of remobilization, cortical and cancellous bone mechanical properties were not different from control values except that cortical bone failure stress and modulus were significantly higher (p < 0.01) between remobilized and control limbs. In summary, 16 weeks of forelimb immobilization was associated with significantly lower mechanical properties, and with greater differences in cancellous than cortical bone properties. Mechanical properties were not different from control values after 32 weeks of recovery that included 16 weeks of treadmill exercise.     

Mineral anisotropy in mineralized tissues is similar among species and mineral growth occurs independently of collagen orientation in rats: results from acoustic velocity measurements

It has been reported that the mineral crystals in long bones have their c-axis aligned with the bone axis, presumably because collagen fibrils in bone also align with the bone axis. However, the predominant collagen orientation in bone often does not appear to be aligned with the mineral crystals, especially in rat primary bone. We hypothesized that mineral orientation in bone is not necessarily related to collagen orientation. An acoustic microscope was used to measure elastic constants of mineralized tissues from rat, cow, monkey, and human bone, and mineralized turkey leg tendon (MTLT). Measurements were made before and after demineralization with 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or decollagenization with 7% sodium hypochlorite. The elastic anisotropy ratio (AR) was defined as the ratio of the elastic coefficient in the longitudinal direction to the elastic coefficient in the transverse direction. Anisotropy ratios of mineralized tissues were not affected by formalin fixation or plastic embedding. An evaluation of tissues from the different species showed that the AR after decollagenization was not significantly different (p > 0.4, analysis of variance) among the groups, while AR after demineralization varied from 1.04 (rat bone) to 1.51 (MTLT). There was no correlation between AR after demineralization and AR after decollagenization (r = 0.13, p = 0.5). This showed that the elastic anisotropy of collagen is more variable than mineral anisotropy in bone and MTLT. Another experiment showed that mineralization of turkey leg tendon changes the elasticity of the collagen matrix, making it less anisotropic. A final, prospective experiment was performed in which tibiae of rats were subjected to mechanical loading for 16 weeks. After 12 days, new periosteal woven bone was observed on the tibiae and, after 16 weeks, this new bone was consolidated and mineralized. Mineral in the newly formed woven bone was virtually isotropic (AR = 1.07) after 12 days of loading, then became more anisotropic (AR = 1.52) after 16 weeks of mechanical loading, as the mineral density of the new bone increased. This increase in anisotropy of bone mineral occurred even though the collagen matrix was woven and had no measureable fibril orientation. We conclude that (1) collagen anisotropy and mineral anisotropy are not necessarily correlated in mineralized tissues, (2) mineralization can affect the collagen matrix elasticity of mineralized tissues, and (3) an organized mineral structure can form in the absence of an organized collagen matrix.     

The histopathology of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated colitis

We combined three techniques--mechanical testing, three-dimensional imaging, and finite-element modeling--to distinguish between the contributions of architecture and tissue modulus to mechanical function in human trabecular bone. The objectives of this study were 2-fold. The first was to assess the accuracy of micromechanical modeling of trabecular bone using high-contrast x-ray images of the trabecular architecture. The second was to combine finite-element calculations with mechanical testing to infer an average tissue modulus for the specimen. Specimens from five human L1 vertebrae were mechanically tested along the three anatomic axes. The specimens were then imaged by synchrotron x-ray tomography, and the elastic moduli of each specimen were calculated from the tomographic image by finite-element modeling. We found that 23-microm tomographic images resolved sufficient structural detail such that the calculated anisotropy in the elastic modulus was within the uncertainties of the experimental measurements in all cases. The tissue modulus of each specimen was then estimated by comparing the calculated mean stiffness of the specimen, averaged over the three anatomical directions, with the experimental measurement. The absolute values of the experimental elastic constants could be fitted, again within the uncertainties of the experimental measurements, by a single tissue modulus of 6.6 GPa, which was the average tissue modulus of the five specimens. These observations suggest that a combination of mechanical testing, three-dimensional imaging, and finite-element modeling might enable the physiological variations in tissue moduli to be determined as a function of age and gender.     

Structural and material mechanical properties of human vertebral cancellous bone

The structural Young's modulus (i.e. that of the cancellous framework) was determined by non-destructive compressive mechanical testing in the three orthogonal axes of 48 vertebral bone cubes. In addition, the material Young's modulus (i.e. of the trabeculae themselves) was estimated using an ultrasonic technique. Apparent and true density were determined by direct physical measurements. Significant mechanical anisotropy was observed: mean structural Young's modulus varied from 165 MPa in the supero-inferior direction to 43 MPa in the lateral direction. Structural Young's modulus correlated with apparent density, with power-law regression models giving the best correlations (r2 = 0.52-0.88). Mechanical anisotropy increased as a function of decreasing apparent density (p < 0.001). Material Young's modulus was 10.0 +/- 1.3 GPa, and was negatively correlated with apparent density (p < 0.001). In multiple regression models, material Young's modulus was a significant independent predictor of structural Young's modulus only in the supero-inferior direction. The data suggest the presence of two effects in vertebral bone associated with decreasing apparent density and, by implication, bone loss in general: (a) increased mechanical anisotropy, such that there is relative conservation of stiffness in the axial direction compared with the transverse directions; and (b) increased stiffness of the trabeculae themselves.     

Effects of short-term treatment with the bisphosphonates zoledronate and pamidronate on rat bone: a comparative histomorphometric study on the cancellous bone formed before, during, and after treatment

To study the anti-resorptive effects of zoledronate and pamidronate on growing long bones we have performed a histomorphometric analysis of the three regions of the proximal tibial cancellous bone of bone formed before, during, and after drug treatment. Male rats (190-220 g) were treated subcutaneously for 10 days with zoledronate (0.028-2.8 microg/kg) or pamidronate (3.7-370 microg/kg) and sacrificed 5 days later. To delineate the three regions of cancellous bone, and for dynamic bone histomorphometry, calcein and demeclocycline were injected at various times. Both bisphosphonates caused a dose-dependent suppression of cancellous bone turnover and resorption to produce an increase in cancellous bone, but zoledronate was 100 times more potent than pamidronate. The increase in the bone amount and connectivity was more pronounced in the bone formed during treatment where transient bone resorption and normal bone formation led to a positive bone balance. In the bone formed before treatment, inhibition of bone resorption associated with reduced bone formation produced a net gain in amount of bone. Although both bone regions showed a positive bone balance, more bone accumulated in the bone formed during treatment probably because its trabecular bone surface was three times greater. In the primary spongiosa formed after treatment, a moderate increase in the bone amount and connectivity was observed only at the highest dose of both bisphosphonates. The bone formed before, during, and after treatment with bisphosphonates responds differently due to differences in bone architecture, rates of modeling and remodeling, and period of drug exposure.     

Anatomic variation of structural properties of periacetabular bone as a function of age. A quantitative computed tomography study

The shape of the acetabulum, the volume of the periacetabular bone, and its density for 125 patients with a wide age range have been quantified using quantitative computed tomography. The goals were to study the relationship between geometric and densitometric properties and provide normative data for finite-element analysis. Significant correlations were found between acetabular diameter and (1) depth, (2) cancellous periacetabular bone density, and (3) periacetabular total bone volume. Only changes in densitometric properties significantly correlated with age. Sphericity of the acetabulum did not increase with age. Variability in bone morphology and density was found for both male and female groups. Surgeons using purely geometric measures to quantify the integrity of acetabular bone should be aware of their limitations when selecting hardware for total hip arthroplasty.     

Determination of connectivity density in human iliac crest bone biopsies assessed by a computerized method

The aim of the present study was to design a computer program (based on the ConnEulor principle) for direct measurement of 3-D connectivity density in iliac crest bone sections, as used for conventional histomorphometry. We used the physical disector principle and developed an algorithm for nonlinear alignment of the disector pairs. 3-D connectivity was evaluated in transiliac specimens from 30 nonselected autopsy cases of 14 men (age range 20-84 years) and 16 women (age range 20-96 years). In order to visualize the findings from the disector pairs, 3-D reconstruction was performed for two of the iliac crest biopsies. The designed computer program aligns the two sections forming a disector pair and automatically depicts the differences between the images, thereby making correct, direct connectivity density measurements available for conventional bone research.     

Self-association and binding sites of some psychotomimetic tryptamine derivatives and related compounds: nuclear magnetic resonance investigations

Total joint and other prosthesis often require the removal and replacement of considerable quantities of cancellous bone, and often are anchored in place by grouting into cancellous bone. Thus, a possible source of failure or loosening of many types of prostheses may be rooted in the lack of understanding of the structure, properties, and function of this material. In addition, as we have pointed out before, cancellous bone may play an important biomechanical role in the etiology of joint degeneration. With these considerations in mind, the architecture of the cancellous bone in the human patella was studied by serial sectioning and microradiography, using an improved technique developed in our laboratory. Volumes of cancellous bone with apparently different functional roles were identified. Stereological techniques were used to quantify the structural characteristics and geometrical relationships throughout the patella. These results led to a structural model for the cancellous bone of the patella, and a comprehensive picture of the internal architecture. The distribution of mechanical compliance and yield stress was also measured, as a function of location and orientation, by a specially constructed microcompression testing machine. The measurements reflected the distribution of trabecular architecture, and both the properties and architecture reflected the gross biomechanical function of the patella. Furthermore, a true structure-function relationship was derived. Patellar contact area studies were performed on fresh cadavers and mapped for various angles of flexion. The variation in contact areas and the spatial variations in stiffness are discussed relative to the biomechanics and clinical aspects of the patella.     

Quantitative histologic evaluation of LTI carbon, carbon-coated aluminum oxide and uncoated aluminum oxide dental implants

The response of mandibular bone to identical geometry LTI carbon, carbon-coated aluminum oxide, and uncoated aluminum oxide blade-type dental implants in baboons for 2 years was evaluated using histologic, microradiographic, and scanning electron microscopic methods. In addition, a quantitative histologic analysis was performed identifying the type, amount, and distribution of tissue surrounding the dental implant systems. This is the final phase of a study investigating the effect of implant elastic modulus and implant surface chemical composition on the performance of dental implants. Previous studies have utilized clinical and radiographic evaluations, postretrieval mechanical testing, and finite element stress analysis to evaluate the dental implant performance. The results of the histologic study revealed a direct implant-bone interface with no intervening soft tissue in 16 of the 21 implants (76%). A fibrous tissue interface was observed in 5 of 21 implants (24%). Quantitative histologic results for the implants with a direct implant-bone interface showed statistically larger crestal cortical plates (p less than 0.05) and greater area fraction crestal cancellous bone (p less than 0.05) in the LTI carbon implant compared to the carbon-coated and uncoated aluminum oxide implants. The carbon-coated and uncoated aluminum oxide implants demonstrated statistically greater area fraction cancellous bone at the inferior region of the implant (p less than 0.05) and thinned and reduced crestal cortical plates when compared to the LTI carbon implants. The results indicate that significant stress shielding of the crestal bone had occurred with the rigid carbon-coated and uncoated aluminum oxide implants when compared to the LTI carbon implants which had a material elastic modulus similar to cortical bone. Based upon the histologic results, it appears that the LTI carbon implants with the direct implant-bone interface exhibited a greater potential for long-term successful performance compared to the aluminum oxide substrate implants.     

Magnetic resonance imaging: a useful tool for evaluation of bone prior to implant surgery

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the potential for use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to gain full sectional information before placement of osseo-integrated dental implants, with no patient exposure to ionising radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four typical cases are illustrated, the patients being imaged in a one tesla MRI scanner. The setting up of the sequences is explained, along with the use of an imaging/surgical template with gadolinium markers. RESULTS: MRI clearly shows full sectional detail of available bone for safe implant placement, and allows the delineation of cortical and cancellous bone to attain maximum implant length and stability. Vital structures and the floor of the maxillary sinus are clearly shown. CONCLUSIONS: MRI allows the surgeon to assess cases for suitability to place dental implants with confidence. The ability to scan directly at any desired plane, with no reformatting, and to relate this information to a surgical template gives predictable surgery. MRI is a sectional imaging modality giving information about the 3-dimensional relationship of the vital structures, without using ionising radiation. It therefore deserves consideration as an alternative to computed tomography. However, further work is indicated to investigate the relative technical merits of the two imaging modalities.     

Alcohol consumption by young actively growing rats: a study of cortical bone histomorphometry and mechanical properties

Alcohol consumption by young actively growing rats has been previously demonstrated to decrease cortical and cancellous bone density, to reduce trabecular bone volume, and to inhibit bone growth at the epiphyseal growth plate. This study addresses the action of alcohol on cortical bone growth using histomorphometric techniques and on mechanical properties by three-point bending. Four-week-old, female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Alcohol-treated animals were fed a modified Lieber-DeCarli diet ad libitum containing 35% ethanol-derived calories, whereas the pair-fed animals (weight-matched to ethanol rats) received an isocaloric liquid diet in which maltose-dextrin-substituted calories were supplied by ethanol. Chow animals were fed a standard rat chow ad libitum. Femora were removed for analysis after 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks on the diets. Cortical bone area, bone formation rates, and mineral apposition rates were reduced in the alcohol-fed animals. Bone stiffness, strength, and energy absorbed to fracture were significantly lower in the alcohol-fed animals. This distinctive alcohol effect was revealed to be caused by lower quality bone tissue as reflected by lower elastic moduli and yield strengths.     

高熵合金拉伸测试不确定性和力学性能表征

摘要：高熵合金的拉伸力学性能测试不确定性,使现行传统的拉伸(压缩)试验技术,不适合于高熵合金的力学性能测量。金属拉伸力学性能测试不确定性,是拉伸试验弹性变形阶段,张应力改变了被测金属原子水平上的微观结构引起的。在此弹性变形微观理论基础上,提出用“力学性能 拉伸应变速率”曲线,表征高熵合金的原始力学性能,服役力学性能,以及加工变形力学性能。     

Influence of the mechanical anisotropy of thin steel sheets on the parameters of Lamb waves

The textural anisotropy in thin low-carbon 08ps and DC01 steel sheet is investigated by an electromagnetic–acoustic method. The sensitivity of Lamb waves of symmetric and antisymmetric zero-order modes to change in the elastic modulus of the medium is determined. The relation between the anisotropy of the properties and the mechanical characteristics of the metal sheet is established.     

Can synthetic bone models approximate the mechanical properties of cadaveric first metatarsal bone?

The authors evaluated the value of plastic foam models for approximating the mechanical properties of cadaveric bone. Three mechanical tests (3-point bending, cantilevered load to failure, screw push-out) were performed to evaluate the performance of fresh (nonpreserved) human metatarsals, plastic solid foam anatomic models, and modified anatomic models. The test results indicate that plastic models may simulate the mechanical properties of natural bone in tests in which only elastic deformation is achieved. However, under circumstances where load is applied until material failure, the mechanical properties vary dramatically. These tests indicate that specific goals should be established with these results in mind, when planning mechanical testing studies with either plastic or cadaveric models.     

Potential of Acoustic Methods in Monitoring the Structure and Physicomechanical Properties of Porous Materials

The task of monitoring porous materials is formulated. Principles for developing and using nondestructive acoustic methods for monitoring the structure and physicomechanical properties of porous materials are suggested and discussed. It is noted that the solution of each monitoring problem for porous materials requires an individual, often nontraditional, approach and its success is determined by the possibility of developing theoretical or experimental correlation dependences between the acoustic and material properties sought. It is shown that it is possible from the results of measuring propagation velocity and elastic wave damping factors to determine parameters such as elasticity, inelasticity, porosity, defectiveness, the size of structural elements, anisotropy, and property inhomogeneity.