Annals of Biomedical Engineering最新文献

In recent post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) studies in a high-speed rear-facing frontal impact (HSRFFI), the PMHS sustained multiple rib fractures. The seatback structure and properties of the seats might contribute to these fractures. This study aimed to determine if a homogeneous rear-facing seat with foam-covered seatback would mitigate the risk of thoracic injury during an HSRFFI. Three male PMHS were subjected to the same previous HSRFFI pulse. The seating structure consisted of a homogeneous seatback composed of rigid plates with load cells and covered with both comfort and safety foam. The PMHS spine was instrumented with accelerometers and angular rate sensors. Two chestbands were attached at the level of the axilla and xiphoid, and strain gages and strain rosettes were attached to ribs. Whole-body kinematics were quantified using a motion capture system. PMHS1 and PMHS3 sustained 30 and 13 rib fractures, respectively, while PMHS2 did not sustain any fractures. Average maximum anterior-posterior (A-P) chest compressions ranged from 15.9 to 22.6%. Rib fractures occurred before and after the maximum A-P compression, so A-P chest compression alone did not correlate well with rib fracture outcomes. Thoracic inferior-superior (I-S) deformation relative to the T12 was 107.4 mm for PMHS1, 27.6 mm for PMHS2, and 85.1 mm for PMHS3. The direction of the maximum principal strain indicated that ribs experienced shear caused by I-S chest deformation. These results will assist with the development of countermeasures to protect occupants in a rear-facing seating configuration, along with validation of human body models.

Purpose: Blood is commonly treated as single-phase homogeneous fluid in numerical simulations of blood flow within fiber bundles of blood oxygenators. However, microfluidics tests revealed the presence of hematocrit heterogeneity in blood flowing across such geometries. Given the significant role of red blood cells (RBCs) in the oxygenation process, this study aims to propose a multiphase blood model able to correctly describe the experimental evidence and computationally investigate hematocrit heterogeneities inside fiber bundles.

Methods: The experimental results of microfluidics tests performed in a previous study were processed and based on quantitative data of image intensity, a two-phase blood model following the Eulerian-Eulerian approach was calibrated and evaluated in its predictive ability against the experimental data. The two-phase model was then used to study the RBCs distribution inside different fiber bundles at average hematocrit values of 25% and 35%, representative of hemodilution in extracorporeal blood circulation.

Results: The numerical model proved to be able to describe and predict the experimental phase separation between plasma and RBCs within the microchannel geometry at different test conditions. Moreover, blood flow simulation in commercial fiber bundles revealed the presence of specific patterns in hematocrit distribution and their dependence on variations in bundle microstructure.

Conclusion: The two-phase blood model proposed in this study provides a tool for advanced evaluation of local fluid dynamics and identification of optimal bundle microstructure allowing further gas transfer simulations to account for a reliable heterogeneous distribution of RBCs around the oxygenating fibers.

Purpose: Model-based tracking is being increasingly used to quantify shoulder kinematics and typically employs computed tomography (CT) to create the 3D bone volumes, which adds to the total radiation exposure. Lower-dose CT protocols may be possible given the contrast between bone and the surrounding soft tissues. The purpose of this study was to describe the dose-accuracy tradeoff between low-dose CT scans and the kinematic tracking accuracy of the humerus, scapula, and clavicle when tracked using an intensity-based registration algorithm.

Methods: Three fresh-frozen cadavers consisting of the torso and bilateral shoulders were tested. The CT protocols investigated included a full-dose protocol and 4 experimental low-dose protocols that modulated x-ray tube current and peak voltage. Bead-based tracking (i.e., radiostereometric analysis) served as the reference standard to which model-based tracking results were compared. Accuracy was described in terms of both segmental (humerus, scapula, and clavicle) and joint (glenohumeral, acromioclavicular) kinematics using root-mean-square (RMSE), bias, precision, and worst-case errors.

Results: The low-dose CT scans resulted in an average dose reduction of 70.6-92.8%. RMSEs tended to increase as CT dose decreased with average glenohumeral errors increasing from 0.5° and 0.6 mm to 0.6° and 0.6 mm between the highest and lowest-dose protocols, and average acromioclavicular errors increasing from 0.6° and 0.8 mm to 0.7° and 0.9 mm. However, the difference in joint kinematic errors between the highest and lowest-dose CT scanning protocols was generally small (≤0.3°, ≤ 0.1 mm).

Conclusion: It is possible to substantially reduce the CT dose associated with shoulder motion analysis using biplane videoradiography without significantly impacting data fidelity.

Purpose: Porcine cervical spines are commonly used as a surrogate for human lumbar spines due to their similar anatomic and mechanical characteristics. Despite their use in spinal biomechanics research, porcine annulus fibrosus (AF) yield and ultimate properties have not been fully evaluated. This study sought to provide a novel dataset of elastic, yield, and ultimate properties of the porcine AF loaded in the circumferential direction.

Methods: AF specimens were dissected from porcine cervical spines (C3/C4-C6/C7) oriented in the circumferential direction. Specimens were uniformly hydrated before being quasi-statically distracted to failure. Linear modulus, yield stress and strain, ultimate stress and strain, and ultimate strain energy density were calculated. Differences between spinal levels, circumferential regions, and radial regions were identified using multifactor ANOVA tests.

Results: AF specimens showed a regionally dependent response between outer and inner radial regions, but not between spinal level and circumferential region. The outer region was significantly stronger and stiffer than the inner regions. In both outer and inner tissue, mechanical yield occurred at approximately 80% of their ultimate properties.

Conclusion: This study generated a novel dataset of elastic, yield, and ultimate properties of the porcine AF. The data can be used in future research that requires a robust database of healthy, non-degenerated AF mechanical properties, such as the development of future finite-element models.

The primary objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of maintaining optimal oral health through regular toothbrushing practices. To achieve this objective, a custom-designed electromechanical toothbrush simulator device was developed. This innovative tool enables researchers to investigate the impact of abrasive-based whitening toothpastes on enamel surface roughness compared to brushing without toothpaste. The device design is composed of multiple systems, including mechanical, motorization, and toothpaste irrigation components. The device incorporates various components, including mechanical, motorization, and toothpaste irrigation systems. Specifically, the mechanical aspect comprises fabricated metal parts, 3D printed elements, and a load cell for measuring brushing force. The motorization section integrates a microcontroller and a stepper motor, allowing for the adjustment of brushing cycles and speed. Furthermore, the toothpaste irrigation system employs a pump with adjustable speed, along with a toothpaste canister and a waste receptacle. By providing a controlled environment for evaluating the effects of different toothpaste formulations on enamel integrity, this simulator device contributes significantly to advancements in oral care research and product development.