Out-of-plane auxetic nonwoven as a designer meta-biomaterial.

Biomaterials are porous and three-dimensional (3D) templates, which are used as biological substitutes in tissue engineering. Targeting the optimal design of biomaterials requires a synergy between mechanical, porous, mass transport, and biological properties. To address this challenge, we propose a non-periodic meta-biomaterial in the form of an out-of-plane auxetic nonwoven scaffold that possesses a 3D interconnected highly porous structure with remarkable mechanical properties corresponding to conventional nonwoven material.

Topologically controlled tensile behaviour of braided prostheses for anterior cruciate ligaments.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most susceptible ligaments of the knee that can suffer injury. These ruptured ligaments can be treated through surgical intervention using a braided structure that either acts as a substitute graft in isolation or an augmentation device alongside the biological tissue. Therefore, the main objective of the research work is to present an analytical model for predicting the complete set of tensile properties of braided prosthesis consisting of multifilament strands based upon predefined braid geometry and constituent material properties.

Tensile behaviour of structurally gradient braided prostheses for anterior cruciate ligaments.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key fibrous connective tissue that maintains the stability of a knee joint and it is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. A synthetic prosthesis in the form of a braided structure can be an attractive alternative to biological grafts provided that the mechanical properties can be tailored to mimic the natural ACL. In the present work, the polypropylene based structurally gradient braided prostheses have been designed and developed by understanding their tensile properties.

Geometrically controlled tensile response of braided sutures.

Sutures are the materials used for wound closure that are caused by surgery or trauma. The main pre-requisite to the success of the suture is to obtain ultimate level of tensile properties with defined geometrical constraints. In this communication, the model for tensile properties of braided sutures has been proposed by elucidating the most important geometrical and material parameters.