Structure-function relationships for coralline hydroxyapatite bone substitute.

To improve the understanding of the functional requirements of trabecular bone substitutes, the structure-function relationships of coralline hydroxyapatite were determined and compared to those of trabecular bone from a variety of anatomic sites. Mechanical properties and permeability of cylindrical coralline hydroxyapatite specimens were measured and related to various morphological parameters that were obtained from analysis of high-resolution (20 microm) computer reconstructions of each specimen. Results indicated the average (+/-SD) Young's modulus (2900 +/- 1290 MPa, n = 20) and permeability (0.50 +/- 0.19 x 10(-9) m2, n = 21) of the coralline hydroxyapatite were within the range of values exhibited by high density trabecular bone; ultimate stress (5.87 +/- 1.92 MPa, n = 13), while in the range of mid-density trabecular bone, was low considering its high volume fraction (31.3 +/- 1.9%, n = 49); and ultimate strain (0.22 +/- 0.03%, n = 13) was much lower than that of trabecular bone from any anatomic site. The only correlation found between mechanical and morphological parameters was between Young's modulus and "fabric" (a scalar measure of architecture that combined the degree of microstructural anisotropy with orientation). These results provide insight into the in vivo performance of this implant, as well as the biomechanical requirements for successful trabecular bone substitutes in general.     

Segmentation of bone CT images and assessment of bone structure using measures of complexity

A nondestructive and noninvasive method for numeric characterization (quantification) of the structural composition of human bone tissue has been developed and tested. In order to quantify and to compare the structural composition of bones from 2D computed tomography (CT) images acquired at different skeletal locations, a series of robust, versatile, and adjustable image segmentation and structure assessment algorithms were developed. The segmentation technique facilitates separation from cortical bone and standardizes the region of interest. The segmented images were symbol-encoded and different aspects of the bone structural composition were quantified using six different measures of complexity. These structural examinations were performed on CT images of bone specimens obtained at the distal radius, humeral mid-diaphysis, vertebral body, femoral head, femoral neck, proximal tibia, and calcaneus. In addition, the ability of the noninvasive and nondestructive measures of complexity to quantify trabecular bone structure was verified by comparing them to conventional static histomorphometry performed on human fourth lumbar vertebral bodies. Strong correlations were established between the measures of complexity and the histomorphometric parameters except for measures expressing trabecular thickness. Furthermore, the ability of the measures of complexity to predict vertebral bone strength was investigated by comparing the outcome of the complexity analysis of the CT images with the results of a biomechanical compression test of the third lumbar vertebral bodies from the same population as used for histomorphometry. A multiple regression analysis using the proposed measures including structure complexity index, structure disorder index, trabecular network index, index of a global ensemble, maximal L-block, and entropy of x-ray attenuation distribution revealed an excellent relationship (r=0.959, r2=0.92) between the measures of complexity and compressive bone strength. In conclusion, the image segmentation techniques and the assessment of bone architecture by measures of complexity have been successfully applied to analyze high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and CT images obtained from the distal radius, humeral mid-diaphysis, third and fourth lumbar vertebral bodies, proximal femur, proximal tibia, and calcaneus. The proposed approach is of broad interest as it can be applied for the quantification of structures and textures originating from different imaging modalities in other fields of science.     

Effect of marrow on the high frequency ultrasonic properties of cancellous bone

A number of investigators have performed in vitro measurements of cancellous bone to determine how various ultrasonic parameters depend on bone density and trabecular orientation. To facilitate handling and storage of bone specimens, the marrow is often removed prior to ultrasonic measurements. However, the assumption that marrow does not affect ultrasonic measurements at high frequencies (>1 MHz) has not been tested. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of marrow on the ultrasonic properties of bovine cancellous bone at frequencies greater than 1 MHz. Twelve specimens of cancellous bone were obtained from the proximal end of four bovine tibia. Ultrasonic measurements consisting of normalized broadband ultrasonic attenuation (nBUA), speed of sound (SOS) and apparent integrated backscatter (AIB) were measured in each specimen using 2.25 MHz (centre frequency) broadband ultrasonic pulses. These measurements were performed before and after marrow removal either along the superoinferior (SI) or mediolateral (ML) direction. SOS and nBUA showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) for either direction of propagation after marrow removal. AIB showed no significant difference in the SI direction. For the ML direction, a small but statistically significant difference (p = 0.044) was observed after marrow removal.     

Effect of porosity on the fluid flow characteristics and mechanical properties of tantalum scaffolds

In many cases of traumatic bone injury, bone grafting is required. The primary source of graft material is either autograft or allograft. The use of both material sources are well established, however, both suffer limitations. In response, many grafting alternatives are being explored. This article specifically focuses on a porous tantalum metal grafting material (Trabecular Metaltrade mark) marketed by Zimmer. Twenty-one cylindrical scaffolds were manufactured (66% to 88% porous) and tested for porosity, intrinsic permeability, tangent elastic modulus, and for yield stress and strain behavior. Scaffold microstructural geometries were also measured. Tantalum scaffold intrinsic permeability ranged from 2.1 x 10(-10) to 4.8 x 10(-10) m(2) and tangent elastic modulus ranged from 373 MPa to 2.2 GPa. Both intrinsic permeability and tangent elastic modulus closely matched porosity-matched cancellous bone specimens from a variety of species and anatomic locations. Scaffold yield stress ranged from 4 to 12.7 MPa and was comparable to bovine and human cancellous bone. Yield strain was unaffected by scaffold porosity (average = 0.010 mm/mm). Understanding these structure-function relationships will help complete the basic physical characterization of this new material and will aid in the development of realistic mathematical models, ultimately enhancing future implant designs utilizing this material.     

Micromechanical properties of human trabecular bone: a hierarchical investigation using nanoindentation

The ability to assess the risk of fracture, evaluate new therapies, predict implant success and assess the influence of bone remodeling disorders requires specific measurement of local bone micromechanical properties. Nanoindentation is an established tool for assessing the micromechanical properties of hard biological tissues. In this study, elastic modulus and hardness were quantified using nanoindentation for human trabecular bone from the intertrochanteric region of the proximal femur. These properties were demonstrated to be heterogeneous and highly correlated at the intraspicule, interspicule, and interspecimen levels. The results of this study have important implications for current understanding of structure-function relationships throughout the trabecular bone structural hierarchy.     

Effect of human trabecular bone composition on its electrical properties

Mechanical properties of bone are determined not only by bone mineral density (BMD), but also by tissue trabecular structure and organic composition. Impedance spectroscopy has shown potential to diagnose trabecular bone BMD and strength, however, the relationships between organic composition and electrical and dielectric properties have not been systematically investigated. To investigate these issues organic composition of 26 human trabecular bone samples harvested from the distal femur and proximal tibia was determined and compared with relative permittivity, loss factor, conductivity, phase angle, specific impedance and dissipation factor measured at wide range (50 Hz to 5 MHz) of frequencies. A strong linear correlation was found between the relative permittivity at 1.2 MHz and trabecular bone fat content (r = -0.85, p<0.01, n=26). On the other hand, relative permittivity measured at 200 Hz served as a good predictor of water content (r = 0.83). Phase angle, specific impedance and especially conductivity were strongly related to the trabecular bone dry density and water content (|r| > or = 0.69). Variation in bone tissue collagen content was strongly related to the relative permittivity measured at 1.2 MHz (r = 0.64), but only moderately to other parameters. Glycosaminoglycan content showed no significant relations with any investigated electrical parameters. The present study indicates that if the trabecular bone composition is known, the relationships presented in this study could facilitate calculation of current field distribution, e.g. during electrical stimulation of osteogenesis. On the other hand, our results suggest that permittivity measured at low (<1 kHz) or high (>100 kHz) frequencies could be used, e.g. during implant surgery, for prediction of trabecular bone water or fat contents, respectively.     

图像相关法测试股骨近端骨小梁压缩特性

目的改善传统方法做压缩测试的不足,更准确地反映骨小梁的压缩弹性模量,探究股骨近端骨小梁的压缩生物力学特性,为临床诊疗提供实验室依据。方法运用微材料力学测试系统,对正常国人(45～60岁)尸体股骨近端骨小梁沿主压力方向及与其垂直方向的压缩性能进行实验研究。结果测得了股骨近端骨小梁在主压力方向压缩弹性模量为(335.26±183.85)MPa,与其垂直方向的压缩弹性模量为(59.27±23.88)MPa,骨小梁在主压力方向上的生物力学性能要明显高于主张力方向;记录了载荷下的骨小梁的位移及应变分布图,负载时骨小梁的位移及应变分布是不均匀的。结论应用微材料力学测试系统测试股骨近端骨小梁压缩弹性模量以更准确地反映其力学性能的方法是可行的,股骨近端骨小梁的压缩性能具有各向异性和不均匀性。     

股骨近端主压力骨小梁生物力学特性

目的股骨头坏死是一种常见病,导致其发病的原因有很多,其中股骨颈骨折后股骨头坏死的原因尚不清楚,机制不明,由于其局部解剖结构特殊,根据其内部结构特点,对骨小梁结构进行研究,为解释股骨颈骨折后股骨头坏死的发生原因提供实验依据。方法对正常中国人(45～60岁)尸体股骨近端主压力骨小梁系统从上到下分成3个区,分别在Endura TEC ELF3200生物力学材料动态力学性能测试系统上,从主压力骨小梁方向及与其垂直方向上进行拉伸、压缩性能实验研究。结果得出了股骨近端主压力骨小梁系统3个区在主压力骨小梁系统方向及与其垂直方向的压缩、拉伸屈服强度、极限强度、弹性模量等测试指标的实验结果。从上到下3个区的弹性模量等生物力学性能依次递增,主压力方向的压缩生物力学性能要明显高于拉伸生物力学性能,并且生物力学性能在主压力系统方向及与其垂直方向有明显差异。结论股骨近端主压力骨小梁的主要力学性能是承受压应力,并且具有明显的各向异性。     

Interrelationships between electrical properties and microstructure of human trabecular bone

Microstructural changes, such as reduction of trabecular thickness and number, are characteristic signs of osteoporosis leading to diminished bone strength. Electrical and dielectric parameters might provide diagnostically valuable information on trabecular bone microstructure not extractable from bone mineral density measurements. In this study, structural properties of human trabecular bone samples (n=26) harvested from the distal femur and proximal tibia were investigated using the computed microtomography (microCT) technique. Quantitative parameters, e.g. structural model index (SMI) or trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), were calculated. In addition, the samples were examined electrically over a wide frequency range (50 Hz-5 MHz) using a two-electrode impedance spectroscopy set-up. Relative permittivity, loss factor, conductivity, phase angle, specific impedance and dissipation factor were determined. Significant linear correlations were obtained between the dissipation factor and BV/TV or SMI (|r| 0.70, p<0.01, n=26). Principal component analyses, conducted on electrical and structural parameters, revealed that the high frequency principal component of the dissipation factor was significantly related to SMI (r=0.72, p<0.01, n=26). The linear combination of high and low frequency relative permittivity predicted 73% of the variation in BV/TV. To conclude, electrical and dielectric parameters of trabecular bone, especially relative permittivity and dissipation factor, were significantly and specifically related to a trabecular microstructure as characterized with microCT. The data gathered in this study constitute a useful basis for theoretical and experimental work towards the development of impedance spectroscopy techniques for detection of bone quality in vitro or in special cases of open surgery.     

绝经后骨质疏松症模型体视学测量和机理初探

目的:观测去势术后大鼠骨组织体视学的改变,复制绝经后骨质疏松症的动物模型,初步探讨骨质疏松症的发病机制。方法:将31只3月龄雌性SD大鼠随机分为卵巢切除术组(OVX)和假手术组(sham),术后28d和56d分别处死。测量子宫湿重,骨矿物密度(BMD)和骨组织形态计量参数,分析骨组织微结构的变化。结果:OVX组术后28d和56d大鼠子宫湿重和股骨远端1/3处骨密度均显著少于sham组(P＜0.05);OVX组股骨远端和胫骨近端的干骺端骨小梁面积百分率显著少于sham组(P＜0.01)。结论:卵巢切除术后大鼠股骨远端骨矿物密度和骨组织形态计量学参数稳步下降,胫骨近端骨矿物密度和骨组织形态计量学参数迅速下降而且不稳定;雌激素减少导致的骨质疏松主要发生在长骨的干骺端,骨骺受影响较少;骨组织形态计量参数中骨小梁面积百分比敏感性和稳定性较高。