Towards Patient-Specific Computational Modelling of Articular Cartilage on the Basis of Advanced Multiparametric MRI Techniques.

Cartilage degeneration is associated with tissue softening and represents the hallmark change of osteoarthritis. Advanced quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) techniques allow the assessment of subtle tissue changes not only of structure and morphology but also of composition. Yet, the relation between qMRI parameters on the one hand and microstructure, composition and the resulting functional tissue properties on the other hand remain to be defined.

Growth kinetics of hexagonal sub-micrometric β-tricalcium phosphate particles in ethylene glycol.

Recently, uniform, non-agglomerated, hexagonal β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) platelets (diameter≈400-1700nm, h≈100-200nm) were obtained at fairly moderate temperatures (90-170°C) by precipitation in ethylene glycol. Unfortunately, the platelet aspect ratios (diameter/thickness) obtained in the latter study were too small to optimize the strength of polymer-β-TCP composites. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate β-TCP platelet crystallization kinetics, and based on this, to find ways to better control the β-TCP aspect ratio.

Control of the size, shape and composition of highly uniform, non-agglomerated, sub-micrometer β-tricalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate platelets.

Calcium phosphates (CaPs) are widely used as bone graft substitutes but are inherently brittle, hence restricting their use to mechanically protected environments. Combining them with a tough polymer matrix could potentially lead to a composite with load-bearing properties. However, the highest mechanical properties can only be achieved if the CaP particles possess very precise features: they should be uniform in size and shape, non-agglomerated, elongated and thin.