Analysis of bone tissue mechanical properties

This paper deals with the torsional moment depending on the angle of torsion of the compact bone in laboratory animals and humans. Based on the data from laboratory animals, obtained by measurement, the data on dependence of the torsional moment and the angle of torsion were assumed for humans. Measurements were carried out on four groups of compact bone in laboratory animals. One was the control group, and three other groups were treated by various vitamin D3 metabolites. Equal measurements were performed in only one group of compact bone in humans, due to the impossibility to treat humans with vitamin D3 metabolites. Functional relations between the angle of torsion and the torsional moment for all groups of animal body tissue were determined by measurements, and the results were used to assume the reaction of human compact bone tissue if treated by vitamin D3 metabolites.     

Some mechanical properties of goose femoral cortical bone

The ultimate compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of femoral cortical bone from adult geese (Anser anser), were determined by sex and by quadrant by compressing small right circular cylinders which were 2.4 mm in height and 0.8 mm in diameter. The average ultimate compressive strength was 183 +/- 29 MPa. The average modulus of elasticity was 13.2 +/- 3.4 GPa. The bending strength and bending modulus of elasticity were determined by a three point bend test on rectangular prisms which had the approximate dimensions 0.75 mm X 0.75 mm X 25 mm. The average bending strength was 263 +/- 44 MPa while the average bending modulus was 19.6 +/- 3.1 GPa. The calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and no correlation was found with the mechanical properties. The histology of the cortical bone was examined both quantitatively and qualitatively. A unique type of Haversian bone is described. Goose bone was found to be morphologically similar to adolescent human bone and to have mechanical properties similar to those of adult human bone.     

Effect of gamma sterilization on microhardness of the cortical bone tissue of bovine femur in presence of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine free radical scavenger

Gamma sterilization is usually used to minimize the risk of infection transmission through bone allografts. However, it is believed that gamma irradiation affects the mechanical properties of allografts and free radical scavengers can be used to alleviate the radiation-induced degradation of these properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the radioprotective effects of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) free radical scavenger on the material properties of sterilized bovine cortical bone at microstructure level. Forty-two cortical tissue specimens were excised from three bovine femurs and irradiated to 35 and 70 kGy gamma rays in the presence of 5, 50, and 100 mM concentrations of NAC. The localized variations in microhardness were evaluated via indentation in the radial and longitudinal directions to examine different regions of the microstructures of the specimens, including the osteonal and interstitial tissues. A significant increase was observed in the hardness of osteonal, interstitial, and longitudinal combined microstructures exposed to 35 and 70 kGy radiations (P < 0.05), whereas a relative reduction of the hardness was observed in the radial direction. Furthermore, it was found that the application of 50 and 100 mM NAC during gamma irradiation significantly subsided the hardening in longitudinal combined microstructure. Moreover, the reduction of hardness in radial direction was suppressed in the presence of 100 mM of NAC. In conclusion, the results indicated that NAC free radical scavenger can protect the cortical bone against deteriorative effects of ionizing radiation and can be used to improve the material properties of sterilized allografts.     

The effect of sterilization on mechanical properties of soft tissue allografts

One major concern regarding soft tissue allograft use in surgical procedures is the risk of disease transmission. Current techniques of tissue sterilization, such as irradiation have been shown to adversely affect the mechanical properties of soft tissues. Grafts processed using Biocleanse processing (a proprietary technique developed by Regeneration Technologies to sterilize human tissues) will have better biomechanical characteristics than tissues that have been irradiated. Fifteen pairs of cadaveric Achilles tendon allografts were obtained and separated into three groups of 10 each. Three treatment groups were: Biocleanse, Irradiated, and Control (untreated). Each specimen was tested to determine the biomechanical properties of the tissue. Specimens were cyclically preloaded and then loaded to failure in tension. During testing, load, displacement, and optical strain data were captured. Following testing, the cross sectional area of the tendons was determined. Tendons in the control group were found to have a higher extrinsic stiffness (slope of the load–deformation curve, p = .005), have a higher ultimate stress (force/cross sectional area, p = .006) and higher ultimate failure load (p = .003) than irradiated grafts. Biocleanse grafts were also found to be stiffer than irradiated grafts (p = .014) yet were not found to be statistically different from either irradiated or non-irradiated grafts in terms of load to failure. Biocleanse processing seems to be a viable alternative to irradiation for Achilles tendon allografts sterilization in terms of their biomechanical properties.     

Spatial distribution of tissue level properties in a human femoral cortical bone

The mechanical properties of cortical bone are determined by a combination bone tissue composition, and structure at several hierarchical length scales. In this study the spatial distribution of tissue level properties within a human femoral shaft has been investigated. Cylindrically shaped samples (diameter: 4.4mm, N=56) were prepared from cortical regions along the entire length (20-85% of the total femur length), and around the periphery (anterior, medial, posterior and lateral quadrants). The samples were analyzed using scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) at 50MHz and synchrotron radiation micro computed tomography (SRμCT). For all samples the average cortical porosity (Ct.Po), tissue elastic coefficients (c(ij)) and the average tissue degree of mineralization (DMB) were determined. The smallest coefficient of variation was observed for DMB (1.8%), followed by BV/TV (5.4%), c(ij) (8.2-45.5%), and Ct.Po (47.5%). Different variations with respect to the anatomical position were found for DMB, Ct.Po and c(ij). These data address the anatomical variations in anisotropic elastic properties and link them to tissue mineralization and porosity, which are important input parameters for numerical multi-scale bone models.     

Effects of tissue preservation on murine bone mechanical properties

Murine bone specimens are used extensively in skeletal research to assess the effects of environmental, physiologic and pathologic factors on their mechanical properties. Given the destructive nature of mechanical testing, it is normally performed as a terminal procedure, where specimens must be preserved without affecting their mechanical properties. To this end, we aimed to study the effects of tissue preservation (freezing and formalin fixation) on the elastic and viscoelastic mechanical properties of murine femur and vertebrae. A total of 120 femurs and 180 vertebral bodies (L3–L5) underwent non-destructive cyclic loading to assess their viscoelastic properties followed by mono-cyclic loading to failure to assess their elastic properties. All specimens underwent re-hydration in 0.9% saline for 30 min prior to mechanical testing. Analysis indicated that stiffness, modulus of elasticity, yield load, yield strength, ultimate load and ultimate strength of frozen and formalin-fixed femurs and vertebrae were not different from fresh specimens. Cyclic loading of both femurs and vertebrae indicated that loss, storage and dynamic moduli were not affected by freezing. However, formalin fixation altered their viscoelastic properties. Our findings suggest that freezing and formalin fixation over a 2-week period do not alter the elastic mechanical properties of murine femurs and vertebrae, provided that specimens are re-hydrated for at least half an hour prior to testing. However, formalin fixation weakened the viscoelastic properties of murine bone by reducing its ability to dissipate viscous energy. Future studies should address the long-term effects of both formalin fixation and freezing on the mechanical properties of murine bone.     

The effect of strain rate on the mechanical properties of human cortical bone

Bone mechanical properties are typically evaluated at relatively low strain rates. However, the strain rate related to traumatic failure is likely to be orders of magnitude higher and this higher strain rate is likely to affect the mechanical properties. Previous work reporting on the effect of strain rate on the mechanical properties of bone predominantly used nonhuman bone. In the work reported here, the effect of strain rate on the tensile and compressive properties of human bone was investigated. Human femoral cortical bone was tested longitudinally at strain rates ranging between 0.14-29.1 s(-1) in compression and 0.08-17 s(-1) in tension. Young's modulus generally increased, across this strain rate range, for both tension and compression. Strength and strain (at maximum load) increased slightly in compression and decreased (for strain rates beyond 1 s(-1)) in tension. Stress and strain at yield decreased (for strain rates beyond 1 s(-1)) for both tension and compression. In general, there seemed to be a relatively simple linear relationship between yield properties and strain rate, but the relationships between postyield properties and strain rate were more complicated and indicated that strain rate has a stronger effect on postyield deformation than on initiation of yielding. The behavior seen in compression is broadly in agreement with past literature, while the behavior observed in tension may be explained by a ductile to brittle transition of bone at moderate to high strain rates.     

Cancellous and cortical bone mechanical properties and tissue dynamics during pregnancy, lactation, and postlactation in the rat

There are substantial changes in maternal skeletal dynamics during pregnancy, lactation, and after lactation. The purpose of this study was to correlate changes in cortical and cancellous bone mass, structure, and dynamics with mechanical properties during and after the first reproductive cycle in rats. Rats were mated and groups were taken at parturition, end of lactation and 8 wk after weaning, and were compared with age-matched, nulliparous controls. Measurements were taken on femoral cortical bone and lumbar vertebral body cancellous bone. At the end of pregnancy, there was an increase in cortical periosteal bone formation and an increase in cortical volume, but a suppression of turnover in cancellous bone with no change in cancellous or cortical mechanical properties. Lactation was associated with a decrease in cortical and cancellous bone strength with a decrease in bone volume, but an increase in turnover on cancellous and endocortical surfaces. After lactation, there was a partial or full restoration of mechanical properties. This study demonstrates substantial changes in bone mechanics that correlate with changes in bone structure and dynamics during the first reproductive cycle in rats. The greatest changes were observed during the lactation period with partial or full recovery in the postlactational period.     

Orientation of mineral in bovine bone and the anisotropic mechanical properties of plexiform bone.

Angular dependent Young's modulus E phi presented by Bonfield and Grynpas [Nature 270, 453-454 (1977)] was simulated by using the distribution function of the orientation of mineral in plexiform bone introduced on the basis of an X-ray pole figure analysis (XPFA) and a small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results. Calculations were performed with the aid of a simple model which expresses well the geometrical characteristic of plexiform bone. Estimated angular dependent Young's modulus in terms of the distribution of mineral orientation reproduced the experimental results. The suitable aspect ratio of bone mineral for the reproduction of the empirical data was a reasonable value compared with the morphological study of bone mineral. It is concluded that the angular dependence of mechanical properties of plexiform bone is explained by the distribution of bone mineral orientation and its morphology.     

Experimental and analytical study of anisotropic strength properties of bovine cortical bone

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - This paper is focused on specification of conditions at failure in bovine cortical bone. Both experimental and analytical studies are conducted. The...     

The effect of chemical cleansing procedures combined with peracetic acid-ethanol sterilization on biomechanical properties of cortical bone.

Peracetic acid-ethanol sterilization (PES) with a preceding delipidation step is an effective sterilization method for allograft bone, but its influence on biomechanical properties of bone has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different incubation times of water, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol cleansing procedures combined with PES on biomechanical properties of freeze-dried cortical bone. These effects were studied by performing three-point bending tests on cortical samples. The lyophilized cortical samples were rehydrated prior to mechanical testing. The bending strength and the absorbed energy of the processed cortical samples were increased slightly but the Young's modulus was decreased compared to unprocessed samples. However, when the residual moisture content of the processed cortical samples was reduced from <5% to 0% all the biomechanical properties studied were significantly decreased. Hexane elution was used to determine the residual fat content of the processed cortical bone. Reducing the incubation time in cleansing had no effect on the residual fat content of the bone samples. Our in vitro study indicates that the cleansing procedure proposed combined with PES affects the biomechanical properties of cortical bone only on a limited scale.     

A novel technique for the assessment of mechanical properties of vascular tissue

Accurate estimation of mechanical properties of the different atherosclerotic plaque constituents is important in assessing plaque rupture risk. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental set-up to assess material properties of vascular tissue, while applying physiological loading and being able to capture heterogeneity. To do so, a ring-inflation experimental set-up was developed in which a transverse slice of an artery was loaded in the radial direction, while the displacement was estimated from images recorded by a high-speed video camera. The performance of the set-up was evaluated using seven rubber samples and validated with uniaxial tensile tests. For four healthy porcine carotid arteries, material properties were estimated using ultrasound strain imaging in whole-vessel-inflation experiments and compared to the properties estimated with the ring-inflation experiment. A 1D axisymmetric finite element model was used to estimate the material parameters from the measured pressures and diameters, using a neo-Hookean and Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden material model for the rubber and porcine samples, respectively. Reproducible results were obtained with the ring-inflation experiment for both rubber and porcine samples. Similar mean stiffness values were found in the ring-inflation and tensile tests for the rubber samples as 202 kPa and 206 kPa, respectively. Comparable results were obtained in vessel-inflation experiments using ultrasound and the proposed ring-inflation experiment. This inflation set-up is suitable for the assessment of material properties of healthy vascular tissue in vitro. It could also be used as part of a method for the assessment of heterogeneous material properties, such as in atherosclerotic plaques.