scholarly journals P.096 Evaluation of Poly Vinyl Alcohol Cryogel (PVA-C) composites for mimicking biomechanical properties of the lumbar interverterbral disc

Author(s):  
BH Wang ◽  
K Gurr ◽  
C Bailey ◽  
G Campbell

Background: Current lumbar intervertebral disc prostheses provide suboptimal symptom relief with little natural load-cushioning. PVA-C is a promising biocompatible material, and our previous study finds that it can closely mimic the properties of nucleus pulposus. However, pure PVA-C does not possess adequate stiffness to mimic the annulus fibrosus. Methods: Composite particle-reinforced PVA-C formulations were tested to identify methods that could increase the elastic modulus. This included: sephadex, hydroxyapatite (stock) and hydroxyapatite (in-solution synthesis). All formulations were tested using 15% PVA-C and 5% reinforcing agent. Indentation and durometer tests were performed as well as simple compression, compressive stress relaxation and creep. Results: Indentation and durometer results did not clearly reveal any specific formulations that significantly improved stiffness. The addition of in-solution synthesized hydroxyapatite resulted in 1.15 to 2 time increase in elastic modulus (0.3-0.9 MPa) and associated decrease in stress relaxation and creep. The addition of stock hydroxyapatite and spehadex (G100f and G50sf) lowered the elastic modulus and increased stress relaxation and creep. Conclusions: In-solution synthesized hydroxyapatite is the only particle-reinforced composite PVA-C formulation that exhibited greater stiffness than pure PVA-C. The elastic modulus will need to be increased by 5-10x to adequately mimic the annulus fibrosus. A fiber-reinforced composite will likely be needed to accomplish this.

Author(s):  
BH Wang ◽  
K Gurr ◽  
C Bailey ◽  
G Campbell

Background: Current lumbar intervertebral disc prostheses provide suboptimal symptom relief with little natural load-cushioning. PVA-C is a promising biocompatible material, however previous studies from our lab show that it does not have adequate elastic modulus to mimic the annulus fibrosus. Here we present a prototype of an artificial lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: The tensile properties of pure (5-35% PVA-C) and particle-reinforced (15% PVA-C with 5% of either Sephadex or hydroxyapatite) composite PVA-C formulations were evaluated. Simple tension and tensile stress relaxation tests were performed. Woven Teflon mesh was embedded in PVA-C and tested under compression. Endplate pull-out tests were performed. Results: Tensile testing showed that all PVA-C formulations behaved linearly for physiologic levels of strain (<20%). Tensile elastic modulus is an order of magnitude lower than the annulus fibrosus. Teflon has similar elastic modulus as collagen and compression of the hybrid Teflon-PVA-C construct revealed good biomechanical mimicry with elastic modulus of 20-25MPa at 20% deformation, similar to human data. Bonding between PVA-C and porous titanium endplate is excellent. Conclusions: A fiber-reinforced PVA-C impregnated composite adequately mimics the annulus fibrosus. Our prototype of a tissue mimicking artificial intervertebral disc utilizes a woven Teflon fiber with 20% PVA-C (+Hydroxyapatite) annulus and 5% pure PVA-C nucleus bonded to porous titanium foam endplates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Zhang ◽  
Xiao Qin ◽  
Haixia Zhang ◽  
Lin Li

Abstract Background The corneal biomechanical properties with the prolongation of time after corneal refractive surgery are important for providing a mechanical basis for the occurrence of clinical phenomena such as iatrogenic keratectasia and refractive regression. The aim of this study was to explore the changes of corneal elastic modulus, and stress relaxation properties from the 6-month follow-up observations of rabbits after a removal of anterior corneal tissue in simulation to corneal refractive surgery. Methods The anterior corneal tissue, 6 mm in diameter and 30–50% of the original corneal thickness, the left eye of the rabbit was removed, and the right eye was kept as the control. The rabbits were normally raised and nursed for 6 months, during which corneal morphology data, and both of corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were gathered. Uniaxial tensile tests of corneal strips were performed at months 1, 3, and 6 from 7 animals, and corneal collagen fibrils were observed at months 1, 3, and 6 from 1 rabbit, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, there were statistical differences in the curvature radius at week 2 and month 3, and both CH and CRF at months 1, 2, and 6 in experiment group; there were statistical differences in elastic modulus at 1, 3, and month 6, and stress relaxation degree at month 3 in experiment group. The differences in corneal elastic modulus, stress relaxation degree and the total number of collagen fibrils between experiment and control groups varied gradually with time, and showed significant changes at the 3rd month after the treatment. Conclusions Corneas after a removal of anterior corneal tissue undergo dynamic changes in corneal morphology and biomechanical properties. The first 3 months after treatment could be a critical period. The variation of corneal biomechanical properties is worth considering in predicting corneal deformation after a removal of anterior corneal tissue.


2010 ◽  
Vol 168-170 ◽  
pp. 2200-2203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun Bo Zhao ◽  
Na Liang ◽  
Li Xin Liu ◽  
Li Sun ◽  
Su Yang

The validity of the wet-sieving concrete technique for building the reinforced composite concrete wall are demonstrated in the paper. The fine aggregate concrete made by ordinary concrete passing the sieve with square mash of 15 mm was cast for the surface layer, the recomposed concrete mixed by the residual concrete stayed on the sieve with the ordinary concrete was cast for the reinforced concrete structural wall. The mechanical properties such as the cubic and compressive strengths, the elastic modulus and the splitting and flexural tensile strengths of the fine aggregate concrete, the recomposed concrete and the ordinary concrete were tested and analyzed. The results show that the elastic modulus and splitting tensile strength of fine aggregate concrete reduce in some extent compared with that of ordinary concrete, the mechanical properties of recomposed concrete are almost the same as that of ordinary concrete.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Cavalu ◽  
Luminita Fritea ◽  
Marcel Brocks ◽  
Katia Barbaro ◽  
Gelu Murvai ◽  
...  

The properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based composites recommend this material as a good candidate for the replacement of damaged cartilage, subchondral bone, meniscus, humeral joint and other orthopedic applications. The manufacturing process can be manipulated to generate the desired biomechanical properties. However, the main shortcomings of PVA hydrogels are related to poor strength and bioactivity. To overcome this situation, reinforcing elements are added to the PVA matrix. The aim of our work was to develop and characterize a novel composition based on PVA reinforced with Se-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and natural hydroxyapatite (HA), for possible orthopedic applications. The PVA/Se-doped TiO2 composites with and without HA were structurally investigated by FTIR and XRD, in order to confirm the incorporation of the inorganic phase in the polymeric structure, and by SEM and XRF, to evidence the ultrastructural details and dispersion of nanoparticles in the PVA matrix. Both the mechanical and structural properties of the composites demonstrated a synergic reinforcing effect of HA and Se-doped TiO2 nanoparticles. Moreover, the tailorable properties of the composites were proved by the viability and differentiation potential of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) to osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. The novel hybrid PVA composites show suitable structural, mechanical and biological features to be considered as a promising biomaterial for articular cartilage and subchondral bone repair.


2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Baranto ◽  
A. Kaigle Holm ◽  
L. Ekström ◽  
L. Swärd ◽  
T. Hansson ◽  
...  

SummaryDegenerative and reactive structural alterations occurring after experimentally-induced disc degeneration were evaluated using a porcine model. A cranial perforation was made through the L4 vertebral endplate into the nucleus pulposus. Three months later, the lumbar intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae were dissected, fixed in formalin and further processed for histopathological analyses. The results showed that there were nucleus pulposus fragments, rather than a distinct border between the nucleus and annulus fibrosus. The central lamellae were distorted and delamination of the outer anterior layers was observed. Blood vessels emerged from the adjacent tissue, penetrated the annulus and branched into the residues of the nucleus. Nerve fibres accompanying the blood vessels could be recognized in the disc within the connective scar tissue. The epiphyseal cartilage plates in the vertebrae were hypertrophic in several areas and there was bone formation directed towards the centre of the vertebral body and the disc. Hypertrophic hyaline cartilage, newly formed bone and scar tissue filled the injury canal. A slight chronic inflammatory reaction was evident along vascular buds. The reactive changes dominated over the degenerated features in the operated disc. Physiological loading enhanced the infiltration of various tissue types characterizing immature cartilage formation. Prominent neovascularisation of the central parts of the disc is likely to be of key importance in turning the degenerative features of the remaining tissue into reactive healthy structures.


2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 823-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Vresilovic ◽  
Wade Johannessen ◽  
Dawn M. Elliott

Mechanical function of the intervertebral disc is maintained through the interaction between the hydrated nucleus pulposus, the surrounding annulus fibrosus, and the superior and inferior endplates. In disc degeneration the normal transfer of load between disc substructures is compromised. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanical role of the nucleus pulposus in support of axial compressive loads over time. This was achieved by measuring the elastic slow ramp and viscoelastic stress-relaxation mechanical behaviors of cadaveric sheep motion segments before and after partial nucleotomy through the endplate (keeping the annulus fibrosus intact). Mechanics were evaluated at five conditions: Intact, intact after 10,000cycles of compression, acutely after nucleotomy, following nucleotomy and 10,000cycles of compression, and following unloaded recovery. Radiographs and magnetic resonance images were obtained to examine structure. Only the short time constant of the stress relaxation was altered due to nucleotomy. In contrast, cyclic loading resulted in significant and large changes to both the stiffness and stress relaxation behaviors. Moreover, the nucleotomy had little to no effect on the disc mechanics after cyclic loading, as there were no significant differences comparing mechanics after cyclic loading with or without the nucleotomy. Following unloaded recovery the mechanical changes that had occurred as a consequence of cyclic loading were restored, leaving only a sustained change in the short time constant due to the trans-endplate nucleotomy. Thus the swelling and redistribution of the remaining nucleus pulposus was not able to fully restore mechanical behaviors. This study reveals insights into the role of the nucleus pulposus in disc function, and provides new information toward the potential role of altered nucleus pulpous function in the degenerative cascade.


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