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Computational Biomechanics, Volume II

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A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomechanics and Sports Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 12630

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Dr. Kwong Ming Tse

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Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, Australia
Interests: computational biomechanics; impact mechanics; injury prevention; mechanics in medicine (orthopedic biomechanics, re-engineering and design of prostheses, surgical procedures, cardiovascular biomechanics)
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Dear Colleagues,

Computational biomechanics utilizes computational techniques (e.g., the finite volume method, finite element method, finite difference method, lattice Boltzmann method, and boundary element method) to understand the mechanical behaviors of human tissue and the musculoskeletal system. This knowledge feeds into novel methods for computational-modeling-based design of prosthetic and orthotic devices, which in turn, aim to restore or improve the human body. Meanwhile, computer-aided/assisted surgeries and simulations help clinicians or surgeons to define medical problems in engineering terms and find the best optimal design or solution that satisfies clinical needs. Furthermore, musculoskeletal and finite element modeling of human motion and body movement informs us about the internal forces acting on the musculoskeletal system and how the body tissue responds to these forces. This can also be extended to include external forces in dynamic events to relate mechanics to human injury causation and performance, so as to determine how injuries are caused and can be prevented. This leads to advances in knowledge pertaining to human injury tolerance and mitigation.

The second edition of this Special Issue, “Computational Biomechanics”, is dedicated to recent research advances in mathematical and computational modeling of biological tissues, ranging from cells to bones and soft tissues, as well as non-biological materials such as prosthetic and orthotic devices. It aims to present state-of the-art research in this emerging multidisciplinary field involving engineering sciences, medicine, health, and ergonomics, which has the potential to revolutionize the ways of improving health and quality of life for millions of people worldwide. We believe this Special Issue will provide a unique snapshot of the field as related to the current trends, as well as an insight into future directions.

Specific topics of interests in this Special Issue include (but are not limited to):

Cell biomechanics;
Cardiovascular biomechanics;
Joint biomechanics;
Injury biomechanics;
Orthopedic biomechanics;
Computational models/constitutive formulations for biological tissues;
Computer-assisted surgery and simulation;
Computer-aided design and assessment of medical devices, protheses, and implants;
Damage and rupture modeling for tissues;
Mathematical modeling of growth and remodeling;
Multimodal/multiscale modeling of biological tissues and engineered biomaterials.

Dr. Kwong Ming Tse
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

patient-specific modeling
computer-aided surgical simulations
finite element modeling
musculoskeletal modeling
tissue damage and failure modeling
multiscale modeling

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Refined Computational Modeling of ACL Tear Injury Patterns

by Mirit Sharabi, Raz Agron, Amir Dolev, Rami Haj-Ali and Mustafa Yassin

Bioengineering 2024, 11(5), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050413 - 23 Apr 2024

Viewed by 379

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are prevalent knee injuries, with approximately 200,000 ruptures annually, and treatment costs exceed USD two billion in the United States alone. Typically, the initial detection of ACL tears and anterior tibial laxity (ATL) involves manual assessments like the Lachman test, which examines anterior knee laxity. Partial ACL tears can go unnoticed if they minimally affect knee laxity; however, they will progress to a complete ACL tear requiring surgical treatment. In this study, a computational finite element model (FEM) of the knee joint was generated to investigate the effect of partial ACL tears under the Lachman test (GNRB^® testing system) boundary conditions. The ACL was modeled as a hyperelastic composite structure with a refined representation of collagen bundles. Five different tear types (I–V), classified by location and size, were modeled to predict the relationship between tear size, location, and anterior tibial translation (ATT). The results demonstrated different levels of ATT that could not be manually detected. Type I tears demonstrated an almost linear increase in ATT, with the growth in tear size ranging from 3.7 mm to 4.2 mm, from 25% to 85%, respectively. Type II partial tears showed a less linear incline in ATT (3.85, 4.1, and 4.75 mm for 25%, 55%, and 85% partial tears, respectively). Types III, IV, and V maintained a nonlinear trend, with ATTs of 3.85 mm, 4.2 mm, and 4.95 mm for Type III, 3.85 mm, 4.25 mm, and 5.1 mm for Type IV, and 3.6 mm, 4.25 mm, and 5.3 mm for Type V, for 25%, 55%, and 85% partial tears, respectively. Therefore, for small tears (25%), knee stability was most affected when the tears were located around the center of the ligament. For moderate tears (55%), the effect on knee stability was the greatest for tears at the proximal half of the ACL. However, severe tears (85%) demonstrated considerable growth in knee instability from the distal to the proximal ends of the tissue, with a substantial increase in knee instability around the insertion sites. The proposed model can enhance the characterization of partial ACL tears, leading to more accurate preliminary diagnoses. It can aid in developing new techniques for repairing partially torn ACLs, potentially preventing more severe injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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15 pages, 2373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimentally Validated Finite Element Analysis of Thoracic Spine Compression Fractures in a Porcine Model

by Sacha Guitteny, Cadence F. Lee and Farid Amirouche

Bioengineering 2024, 11(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11010096 - 18 Jan 2024

Viewed by 996

Abstract

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur in 1 to 1.5 million patients in the US each year and are associated with pain, disability, altered pulmonary function, secondary vertebral fracture, and increased mortality risk. A better understanding of VCFs and their management requires preclinical models that are both biomechanically analogous and accessible. We conducted a study using twelve spinal vertebrae (T12–T14) from porcine specimens. We created mathematical simulations of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) using CT scans for reconstructing native anatomy and validated the results by conducting physical axial compression experiments. The simulations accurately predicted the behavior of the physical compressions. The coefficient of determination for stiffness was 0.71, the strength correlation was 0.88, and the failure of the vertebral bodies included vertical splitting on the lateral sides or horizontal separation in the anterior wall. This finite element method has important implications for the preventative, prognostic, and therapeutic management of VCFs. This study also supports the use of porcine specimens in orthopedic biomechanical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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16 pages, 2824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inter-Specimen Analysis of Diverse Finite Element Models of the Lumbar Spine

by James Doulgeris, Maohua Lin, William Lee, Kamran Aghayev, Ioannis Dimitri Papanastassiou, Chi-Tay Tsai and Frank D. Vrionis

Bioengineering 2024, 11(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11010024 - 26 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 927

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing popularity in utilizing finite element analysis to study the spine. However, most current studies tend to use one specimen for their models. This research aimed to validate multiple finite element models by comparing them with data from in vivo experiments and other existing finite element studies. Additionally, this study sought to analyze the data based on the gender and age of the specimens. For this study, eight lumbar spine (L2–L5) finite element models were developed. These models were then subjected to finite element analysis to simulate the six fundamental motions. CT scans were obtained from a total of eight individuals, four males and four females, ranging in age from forty-four (44) to seventy-three (73) years old. The CT scans were preprocessed and used to construct finite element models that accurately emulated the motions of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Preloads and moments were applied to the models to replicate physiological loading conditions. This study focused on analyzing various parameters such as vertebral rotation, facet forces, and intradiscal pressure in all loading directions. The obtained data were then compared with the results of other finite element analyses and in vivo experimental measurements found in the existing literature to ensure their validity. This study successfully validated the intervertebral rotation, intradiscal pressure, and facet force results by comparing them with previous research findings. Notably, this study concluded that gender did not have a significant impact on the results. However, the results did highlight the importance of age as a critical variable when modeling the lumbar spine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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12 pages, 9407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Load Capacity of Teeth with Reduced Periodontal Support: A Finite Element Analysis

by Marco Dederichs, Paul Joedecke, Christian-Toralf Weber and Arndt Guentsch

Bioengineering 2023, 10(11), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10111330 - 18 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1271

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional load capacity of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in a full arch maxilla and mandible model using a numerical simulation. The goal was to determine the functional load pattern in multi- and single-rooted teeth with full and reduced periodontal support. CBCT data were used to create 3D models of a maxilla and mandible. The DICOM dataset was used to create a CAD model. For a precise description of the surfaces of each structure (enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, PDL, gingiva, bone), each tooth was segmented separately, and the biomechanical characteristics were considered. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software computed the biomechanical behavior of the stepwise increased force of 700 N in the cranial and 350 N in the ventral direction of the muscle approach of the masseter muscle. The periodontal attachment (cementum–PDL–bone contact) was subsequently reduced in 1 mm increments, and the simulation was repeated. Quantitative (pressure, tension, and deformation) and qualitative (color-coded images) data were recorded and descriptively analyzed. The teeth with the highest load capacities were the upper and lower molars (0.4–0.6 MPa), followed by the premolars (0.4–0.5 MPa) and canines (0.3–0.4 MPa) when vertically loaded. Qualitative data showed that the areas with the highest stress in the PDL were single-rooted teeth in the cervical and apical area and molars in the cervical and apical area in addition to the furcation roof. In both single- and multi-rooted teeth, the gradual reduction in bone levels caused an increase in the load on the remaining PDL. Cervical and apical areas, as well as the furcation roof, are the zones with the highest functional stress. The greater the bone loss, the higher the mechanical load on the residual periodontal supporting structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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19 pages, 2271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthropomorphic Characterization of Ankle Joint

by Dinesh Gundapaneni, James T. Tsatalis, Richard T. Laughlin and Tarun Goswami

Bioengineering 2023, 10(10), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101212 - 17 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1167

Abstract

Even though total ankle replacement has emerged as an alternative treatment to arthrodesis, the long-term clinical results are unsatisfactory. Proper design of the ankle device is required to achieve successful arthroplasty results. Therefore, a quantitative knowledge of the ankle joint is necessary. In this pilot study, imaging data of 22 subjects (with both females and males and across three age groups) was used to measure the morphological parameters of the ankle joint. A total of 40 measurements were collected by creating sections in the sagittal and coronal planes for the tibia and talus. Statistical analyses were performed to compare genders, age groups, and image acquisition techniques used to generate 3D models. About 13 measurements derived for parameters (TiAL, SRTi, TaAL, SRTa, TiW, TaW, and TTL) that are very critical for the implant design showed significant differences (p-value < 0.05) between males and females. Young adults showed a significant difference (p-value < 0.05) compared to adults for 15 measurements related to critical tibial and talus parameters (TiAL, TiW, TML, TaAL, SRTa, TaW, and TTL), but no significant differences were observed between young adults and older adults, and between adults and older adults for most of the parameters. A positive correlation (r > 0.70) was observed between tibial and talar width values and between the sagittal radius values. When compared with morphological parameters obtained in this study, the sizes of current total ankle replacement devices can only fit a very limited group of people in this study. This pilot study contributes to the comprehensive understanding of the effects of gender and age group on ankle joint morphology and the relationship between tibial and talus parameters that can be used to plan and design ankle devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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15 pages, 3386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomechanical Behavior of Dynamic vs. Static Distal Locking Intramedullary Nails in Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures

by Carmen Martínez-Aznar, Jesús Mateo, Elena Ibarz, Luis Gracia, Jorge Rosell and Sergio Puértolas

Bioengineering 2023, 10(10), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10101179 - 11 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1248

Abstract

Objective: Hip fractures are one of the most frequent fractures presenting to the emergency department and orthopedic trauma teams. The aim of this study was to determine the best indication and therapeutic technique for subtrochanteric fractures and unifying criteria when choosing the most suitable type of nail. Materials and methods: To analyze the influence of the material and the type of distal locking of intramedullary nails (static or dynamic), a femur model with a fracture in the subtrochanteric region stabilized with a long Gamma intramedullary nail was applied using finite element method (FEM) simulation. Results: The mechanical study shows that titanium nails allow for greater micromobility at the fracture site, which could act as a stimulus for the formation of callus and consolidation of the fracture. In the mechanical study, the type of distal locking mainly affects mobility at the fracture site and stress in the cortical bone around the distal screws, without in any case exceeding values that may compromise the viability of the assembly or that may result in detrimental effects (in terms of mobility at the fracture site) for the consolidation process. Conclusion: Subtrochanteric fractures treated with titanium nail and static distal locking is safe and does not hinder consolidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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13 pages, 4696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiphysics Interaction Analysis of the Therapeutic Effects of the Sigmoid Sinus Wall Reconstruction in Patients with Venous Pulsatile Tinnitus

by Zhenxia Mu, Lihui Zhuang, Pengfei Zhao, Bin Gao, Youjun Liu, Zhenchang Wang, Shifeng Yang and Ximing Wang

Bioengineering 2023, 10(6), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10060715 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1049

Abstract

Sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD) is an important etiology of venous pulsatile tinnitus (VPT) and is treated by sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR). This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the different degrees of SSWR and the prognostic effect in patients with VPT. Personalized models of three patients with SSWD (control), 3/4SSWD, 1/2SSWD, 1/4SSWD, and 0SSWD were reconstructed. A multiphysics interaction approach was applied to elucidate the biomechanical and acoustic changes. Results revealed that after SSWR, the average pressure of venous vessel on the SSWD region reduced by 33.70 ± 12.53%, 35.86 ± 12.39%, and 39.70 ± 12.45% (mean ± SD) in three patients with 3/4SSWD, 1/2SSWD, and 1/4SSWD. The maximum displacement of the SSWR region reduced by 25.91 ± 30.20%, 37.20 ± 31.47%, 52.60 ± 34.66%, and 79.35 ± 18.13% (mean ± SD) in three patients with 3/4SSWD, 1/2SSWD, 1/4SSWD, and 0SSWD, with a magnitude approximately 10⁻³ times that of the venous vessel in the SSWD region. The sound pressure level at the tympanum reduced by 23.72 ± 1.91%, 31.03 ± 14.40%, 45.62 ± 19.11%, and 128.46 ± 15.46% (mean ± SD). The SSWR region was still loaded with high stress in comparison to the surrounding region. The SSWR region of the temporal bone effectively shielded the high wall pressure and blocked the transmission of venous vessel vibration to the inner ear. Patients with inadequate SSWR still had residual VPT symptoms despite the remission of VPT symptoms. Complete SSWR could completely solve VPT issues. High-stress distribution of the SSWR region may be the cause of the recurrence of VPT symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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Review

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21 pages, 6358 KiB

Open AccessReview

Computational Biomechanics of Sleep: A Systematic Mapping Review

by Ethan Shiu-Wang Cheng, Derek Ka-Hei Lai, Ye-Jiao Mao, Timothy Tin-Yan Lee, Wing-Kai Lam, James Chung-Wai Cheung and Duo Wai-Chi Wong

Bioengineering 2023, 10(8), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10080917 - 02 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1576

Abstract

Biomechanical studies play an important role in understanding the pathophysiology of sleep disorders and providing insights to maintain sleep health. Computational methods facilitate a versatile platform to analyze various biomechanical factors in silico, which would otherwise be difficult through in vivo experiments. The objective of this review is to examine and map the applications of computational biomechanics to sleep-related research topics, including sleep medicine and sleep ergonomics. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Research gaps were identified through data synthesis on variants, outcomes, and highlighted features, as well as evidence maps on basic modeling considerations and modeling components of the eligible studies. Twenty-seven studies (n = 27) were categorized into sleep ergonomics (n = 2 on pillow; n = 3 on mattress), sleep-related breathing disorders (n = 19 on obstructive sleep apnea), and sleep-related movement disorders (n = 3 on sleep bruxism). The effects of pillow height and mattress stiffness on spinal curvature were explored. Stress on the temporomandibular joint, and therefore its disorder, was the primary focus of investigations on sleep bruxism. Using finite element morphometry and fluid–structure interaction, studies on obstructive sleep apnea investigated the effects of anatomical variations, muscle activation of the tongue and soft palate, and gravitational direction on the collapse and blockade of the upper airway, in addition to the airflow pressure distribution. Model validation has been one of the greatest hurdles, while single-subject design and surrogate techniques have led to concerns about external validity. Future research might endeavor to reconstruct patient-specific models with patient-specific loading profiles in a larger cohort. Studies on sleep ergonomics research may pave the way for determining ideal spine curvature, in addition to simulating side-lying sleep postures. Sleep bruxism studies may analyze the accumulated dental damage and wear. Research on OSA treatments using computational approaches warrants further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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14 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessReview

Design, Kinematics and Gait Analysis, of Prosthetic Knee Joints: A Systematic Review

by Faiza Rasheed, Suzanne Martin and Kwong Ming Tse

Bioengineering 2023, 10(7), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10070773 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2823

Abstract

The aim of this review article is to appraise the design and functionality of above-knee prosthetic legs. So far, various transfemoral prosthetic legs are found to offer a stable gait to amputees but are limited to laboratories. The commercially available prosthetic legs are not reliable and comfortable enough to satisfy amputees. There is a dire need for creating a powered prosthetic knee joint that could address amputees’ requirements. To pinpoint the gap in transfemoral prosthetic legs, prosthetic knee unit model designs, control frameworks, kinematics, and gait evaluations are concentrated. Ambulation exercises, ground-level walking, running, and slope walking are considered to help identify research gaps and areas where existing prostheses can be ameliorated. The results show that above-knee amputees can more effectively manage their issues with the aid of an active prosthesis, capable of reliable gait. To accomplish the necessary control, closed loop controllers and volitional control are integral parts. Future studies should consider designing a transfemoral electromechanical prosthesis based on electromyographic (EMG) signals to better predict the amputee’s intent and control in accordance with that intent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biomechanics, Volume II)

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