An analytical calculation of the fluid load support fraction in a biphasic material: an alternative technique.

Background: The fluid load support fraction (W(F)/W(T)) can be used to define the mechanical contribution of the interstitial fluid (W(F)) to the total force (W(T)) in the deformation of cartilage. Traditionally, W(F)/W(T) is calculated using complex experimental setups or time-consuming micromechanical poroelastic Finite Element (FE) simulations.

Aim: To define and validate a fast and efficient technique to predict W(F)/W(T) using an analytical approach that can be applied without micromechanical detail or experimental measurement.

Computational modelling of the natural hip: a review of finite element and multibody simulations.

Primary Objective: The hip joint suffers from a high prevalence of degenerative conditions. Athough patient's well-being could be improved through early and more effective interventions, without a greater understanding of the mechanics of the hip, these developments cannot be attained. Thus, this review article summarises the current literature on this subject in order to provide a platform for future developments.

Local and regional mechanical characterisation of a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold using high-resolution finite element analysis.

Artificial tissue growth requires cells to proliferate and differentiate within the host scaffold. As cell function is governed by mechano-sensitive selection, tissue type is influenced by the microscopic forces exposed to the cells, which is a product of macroscopically straining the scaffold. Accordingly, the microscopic strain environment within a CG scaffold is offered here.

A prediction of cell differentiation and proliferation within a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold subjected to mechanical strain and perfusive fluid flow.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation can be influenced by biophysical stimuli imparted by the host scaffold. Yet, causal relationships linking scaffold strain magnitudes and inlet fluid velocities to specific cell responses are thus far underdeveloped. This investigation attempted to simulate cell responses in a collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffold within a bioreactor.

A finite element prediction of strain on cells in a highly porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold.

Tissue engineering often involves seeding cells into porous scaffolds and subjecting the scaffold to mechanical stimulation. Current experimental techniques have provided a plethora of data regarding cell responses within scaffolds, but the quantitative understanding of the load transfer process within a cell-seeded scaffold is still relatively unknown. The objective of this work was to develop a finite element representation of the transient and heterogeneous nature of a cell-seeded collagen-GAG-scaffold.