RUI: Analytical Models for the Growth and Remodeling of Cartilage

California Polytechnic State University Foundation, San Luis Obispo CA

Investigators

Abstract

Project Abstract The long-term goal of this research is to develop and use analytical and experimental methods to describe the complex relationships between mechanical and biochemical stimuli, cell metabolism, tissue growth, and biomechanical function for cartilaginous tissues. Ultimately, this may lead to a better understanding of the processes of cartilage growth, degeneration, and repair. Specifically, the first aim is to develop a model of cartilage growth and remodeling. This will be accomplished by integrating an existing continuum mechanics theory for growing biological tissues with a commercial poroelastic finite element model. Then, the cartilage growth model will be used to perform several parametric studies to describe how changes in the model parameters affect the biomechanics of cartilage growth. The second aim is to obtain and use experimental data to determine input parameters and to calibrate the cartilage growth model. This will be accomplished by obtaining experimental data that quantifies how the tissue composition and mechanical properties change during the in vitro growth of bovine cartilage constructs subjected to a dynamic compression loading protocol.