Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 13109

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
CDRsp and School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
Interests: biomechanics; finite element method; optimization; mesh generation; isogeometric analysis; image segmentation; isogeometric analysis

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Guest Editor
1. UNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
2. Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, LASI, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: biomechanics; finite element method; multibody systems dynamics; optimization; machine learning

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Guest Editor
BioMécanique et BioIngénierie (BMBI), Université de Technologie de Compiègne: Compiegne, Île-de-France, France
Interests: mechanical properties; numerical modeling engineering; finite element analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field and essential in the treatment of various pathologies, from the musculoskeletal system to the respiratory system.

Tissue engineering is a type of multiscale engineering, from cell analysis behavior to full tissue adaptation to different biologic and mechanical stimuli. For instance, biological responses to stent’s implantation is a dynamic process, and is related to external tissue stimuli.

This Special Issue on “Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering” will therefore focus on original research papers, dealing with experimental and computational tissue engineering methodologies. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Tissue engineering scaffold design;
  • Multidisciplinary optimization methods;
  • Modelling scaffold material behavior;
  • Modelling biological tissue performance;
  • Predictive models for tissue engineering;
  • Multiscale patient specific simulations;
  • Fluid–structure interaction modelling;
  • New computational methods for tissue engineering, including machine learning and other artificial-intelligence-based techniques.

Dr. Rui B. Ruben
Dr. Marta Carvalho
Dr. Olfa Trabelsi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • tissue engineering
  • computational bioengineering
  • computational fluid dynamics
  • experimental tissue engineering

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 7400 KiB  
Article
Modal Analysis of the Human Brain Using Dynamic Mode Decomposition
by Jayse McLean, Mehran Fereydoonpour, Mariusz Ziejewski and Ghodrat Karami
Bioengineering 2024, 11(6), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11060604 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
The majority of observations and criteria related to brain injuries predominantly focus on acceleration and forces, leaving the understanding of the brain in the frequency domain relatively limited. The impact of an injury can be more profound when considering the brain’s resonant frequencies [...] Read more.
The majority of observations and criteria related to brain injuries predominantly focus on acceleration and forces, leaving the understanding of the brain in the frequency domain relatively limited. The impact of an injury can be more profound when considering the brain’s resonant frequencies in conjunction with external applied loading and motion. This paper employs a finite element method to conduct an analysis of a human brain under impacts from various angles on the human head. A numerical technique, specifically dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), is utilized to extract modal properties for brain tissue in regions proximate to the corpus callosum and brain stem. Three distinct modal frequencies have been identified, spanning the ranges of 44–68 Hz, 68–155 Hz, and 114–299 Hz. The findings underscore the significance of impact angle, displacement direction, and the specific region of the brain in influencing the modal response of brain tissue during an impact event. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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16 pages, 2617 KiB  
Article
Agarose as a Tissue Mimic for the Porcine Heart, Kidney, and Liver: Measurements and a Springpot Model
by Aadarsh Mishra and Robin O. Cleveland
Bioengineering 2024, 11(6), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11060589 - 8 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1713
Abstract
Agarose gels are often used as a tissue mimic. The goal of this work was to determine the appropriate agarose concentrations that result in mechanical properties that match three different porcine organs. Strain tests were carried out with an amplitude varying from 0.01% [...] Read more.
Agarose gels are often used as a tissue mimic. The goal of this work was to determine the appropriate agarose concentrations that result in mechanical properties that match three different porcine organs. Strain tests were carried out with an amplitude varying from 0.01% to 10% at a frequency of 1 Hz on a range of agarose concentrations and porcine organs. Frequency sweep tests were performed from 0.1 Hz to a maximum of 9.5 Hz at a shear strain amplitude of 0.1% for agarose and porcine organs. In agarose samples, the effect of pre-compression of the samples up to 10% axial strain was considered during frequency sweep tests. The experimental measurements from agarose samples were fit to a fractional order viscoelastic (springpot) model. The model was then used to predict stress relaxation in response to a step strain of 0.1%. The prediction was compared to experimental relaxation data, and the results agreed within 12%. The agarose concentrations (by mass) that gave the best fit were 0.25% for the liver, 0.3% for the kidney, and 0.4% for the heart. At a frequency of 0.1 Hz and a shear strain of 0.1%, the agarose concentrations that best matched the shear storage modulus of the porcine organs were 0.4% agarose for the heart, 0.3% agarose for the kidney, and 0.25% agarose for the liver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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13 pages, 3707 KiB  
Article
Biomechanical Modelling of Porcine Kidney
by Aadarsh Mishra and Robin O. Cleveland
Bioengineering 2024, 11(6), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11060537 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1167
Abstract
In this study, the viscoelastic properties of porcine kidney in the upper, middle and lower poles were investigated using oscillatory shear tests. The viscoelastic properties were extracted in the form of the storage modulus and loss modulus in the frequency and time domain. [...] Read more.
In this study, the viscoelastic properties of porcine kidney in the upper, middle and lower poles were investigated using oscillatory shear tests. The viscoelastic properties were extracted in the form of the storage modulus and loss modulus in the frequency and time domain. Measurements were taken as a function of frequency from 0.1 Hz to 6.5 Hz at a shear strain amplitude of 0.01 and as function of strain amplitude from 0.001 to 0.1 at a frequency of 1 Hz. Measurements were also taken in the time domain in response to a step shear strain. Both the frequency and time domain data were fitted to a conventional Standard Linear Solid (SLS) model and a semi-fractional Kelvin–Voigt (SFKV) model with a comparable number of parameters. The SFKV model fitted the frequency and time domain data with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Although the SLS model well fitted the time domain data and the storage modulus data in the frequency domain, it was not able to capture the variation in loss modulus with frequency with a correlation coefficient of 0.53. A five parameter Maxwell–Wiechert model was able to capture the frequency dependence in storage modulus and loss modulus better than the SLS model with a correlation of 0.85. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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13 pages, 2896 KiB  
Article
Effect of Plate Configuration in the Primary Stability of Osteotomies and Biological Reconstructions of Femoral Defects: Finite-Element Study
by M. A. Neto, M. F. Paulino and A. M. Amaro
Bioengineering 2024, 11(5), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050416 - 24 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1097
Abstract
Background/objective: Osteosynthesis is an alternative treatment for stabilizing femur-bone traumas. The initial stability of the fixation systems is one of the biomechanical parameters affecting implant failure and bone union, especially in surgeries of intercalary reconstructions after the removal of bone tumors. This study [...] Read more.
Background/objective: Osteosynthesis is an alternative treatment for stabilizing femur-bone traumas. The initial stability of the fixation systems is one of the biomechanical parameters affecting implant failure and bone union, especially in surgeries of intercalary reconstructions after the removal of bone tumors. This study aimed to investigate the initial biomechanical effect of using one or two osteosynthesis plate configurations for femoral fixation and the effect of fastening the allograft to the osteosynthesis plate in the case of femoral allograft reconstructions. Methods: Three finite-element models of a femur with three different fixation conditions for a transverse osteotomy in the middle of the diaphysis, i.e., using one and two osteosynthesis plates and an intercalary allograft, were constructed. An eight-hole compression plate and a six-hole second plate were used to simulate osteosynthesis plates. The plate screws were tightened previously to the loading, and the tightening sequences simulate the bolt-tightening procedure in a surgical environment. The models were imported into the ADINA System for nonlinear analysis, using compression loads applied over the femur head. Results: Models with the dual fixation systems had the most outstanding compression stiffness. The femur head movement in the dual plate system was 24.8% smaller than in the single plate system. A statistical analysis of a region of interest (VOI) placed in the femur diaphysis showed that the biomechanical effect of using the dual plate system is smaller in the osteotomy region than at the femur head, e.g., a displacement average decrease of only 5% between the two systems, while the maximum value decreases by 26.8%. The allograft fixation to the second osteosynthesis plate leads to an improvement in the system stability. Conclusions: The results presented in this work show that including the bolt analysis in the femoral diaphysis osteotomy fixation will allow for capturing the nonlinear behavior of the osteotomy region more realistically. The stability of the intercalary reconstruction of the femoral diaphysis was higher when the allograft was fastened to the second osteosynthesis plate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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19 pages, 5288 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Characterization of the Human Abdominal Wall Using Uniaxial Tensile Testing
by Kyleigh Kriener, Raushan Lala, Ryan Anthony Peter Homes, Hayley Finley, Kate Sinclair, Mason Kelley Williams and Mark John Midwinter
Bioengineering 2023, 10(10), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101213 - 17 Oct 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3376
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the human abdominal wall comprises skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles and their aponeuroses, and the parietal peritoneum. Understanding these layers and their mechanical properties provides valuable information to those designing procedural skills trainers, supporting surgical procedures (hernia repair), and [...] Read more.
It is generally accepted that the human abdominal wall comprises skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles and their aponeuroses, and the parietal peritoneum. Understanding these layers and their mechanical properties provides valuable information to those designing procedural skills trainers, supporting surgical procedures (hernia repair), and engineering-based work (in silico simulation). However, there is little literature available on the mechanical properties of the abdominal wall in layers or as a composite in the context of designing a procedural skills trainer. This work characterizes the tensile properties of the human abdominal wall by layer and as a partial composite. Tissues were collected from fresh-never-frozen and fresh-frozen cadavers and tested in uniaxial tension at a rate of 5 mm/min until failure. Stress–strain curves were created for each sample, and the values for elastic moduli, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at failure were obtained. The experimental outcomes from this study demonstrated variations in tensile properties within and between tissues. The data also suggest that the tensile properties of composite abdominal walls are not additive. Ultimately, this body of work contributes to a deeper comprehension of these mechanical properties and will serve to enhance patient care, refine surgical interventions, and assist with more sophisticated engineering solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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13 pages, 1081 KiB  
Article
Measuring Bone Healing: Parameters and Scores in Comparison
by Nicolas Söhling, Olivia Von Jan, Maren Janko, Christoph Nau, Ulrike Ritz, Ingo Marzi, Dirk Henrich and René D. Verboket
Bioengineering 2023, 10(9), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10091011 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1805
Abstract
(1) Background: Bone healing is a complex process that can not be replicated in its entirety in vitro. Research on bone healing still requires the animal model. The critical size femur defect (CSFD) in rats is a well-established model for fractures in humans [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Bone healing is a complex process that can not be replicated in its entirety in vitro. Research on bone healing still requires the animal model. The critical size femur defect (CSFD) in rats is a well-established model for fractures in humans that exceed the self-healing potential. New therapeutic approaches can be tested here in vivo. Histological, biomechanical, and radiological parameters are usually collected and interpreted. However, it is not yet clear to what extent they correlate with each other and how necessary it is to record all parameters. (2) Methods: The basis for this study was data from three animal model studies evaluating bone healing. The µCT and histological (Movat pentachrome, osteocalcin) datasets/images were reevaluated and correlation analyses were then performed. Two image processing procedures were compared in the analysis of the image data. (3) Results: There was a significant correlation between the histologically determined bone fraction (Movat pentachrome staining) and bending stiffness. Bone fraction determined by osteocalcin showed no prognostic value. (4) Conclusions: The evaluation of the image datasets using ImageJ is sufficient and simpler than the combination of both programs. Determination of the bone fraction using Movat pentachrome staining allows conclusions to be drawn about the biomechanics of the bone. A standardized procedure with the ImageJ software is recommended for determining the bone proportion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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Review

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17 pages, 5200 KiB  
Review
On the Fused Deposition Modelling of Personalised Bio-Scaffolds: Materials, Design, and Manufacturing Aspects
by Helena Cardoso Sousa, Rui B. Ruben and Júlio C. Viana
Bioengineering 2024, 11(8), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080769 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1635
Abstract
Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an important field of research, essential in order to heal bone defects or replace impaired tissues and organs. As one of the most used additive manufacturing processes, 3D printing can produce biostructures in the field of tissue engineering [...] Read more.
Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an important field of research, essential in order to heal bone defects or replace impaired tissues and organs. As one of the most used additive manufacturing processes, 3D printing can produce biostructures in the field of tissue engineering for bones, orthopaedic tissues, and organs. Scaffold manufacturing techniques and suitable materials with final structural, mechanical properties, and the biological response of the implanted biomaterials are an essential part of BTE. In fact, the scaffold is an essential component for tissue engineering where cells can attach, proliferate, and differentiate to develop functional tissue. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is commonly employed in the 3D printing of tissue-engineering scaffolds. Scaffolds must have a good architecture, considering the porosity, permeability, degradation, and healing capabilities. In fact, the architecture of a scaffold is crucial, influencing not only the physical and mechanical properties but also the cellular behaviours of mesenchymal stem cells. Cells placed on/or within the scaffolds is a standard approach in tissue engineering. For bio-scaffolds, materials that are biocompatible and biodegradable, and can support cell growth are the ones chosen. These include polymers like polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and certain bioglass or composite materials. This work comprehensively integrates aspects related to the optimisation of biocompatible and biodegradable composites with the low cost, simple, and stable FDM technology to successfully prepare the best designed composite porous bone-healing scaffolds. FDM can be used to produce low-cost bone scaffolds, with a suitable porosity and permeability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics Analysis in Tissue Engineering)
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