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Galteri G, Palanca M, Alesi D, Zaffagnini S, Morellato K, Gruppioni E, Cristofolini L. Reliable in vitro method for the evaluation of the primary stability and load transfer of transfemoral prostheses for osseointegrated implantation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1360208. [PMID: 38576443 PMCID: PMC10991734 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1360208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Osseointegrated transfemoral prostheses experience aseptic complications with an incidence between 3% and 30%. The main aseptic risks are implant loosening, adverse bone remodeling, and post-operative periprosthetic fractures. Implant loosening can either be due to a lack of initial (primary) stability of the implant, which hinders bone ingrowth and therefore prevents secondary stability, or, in the long-term, to the progressive resorption of the periprosthetic bone. Post-operative periprosthetic fractures are most often caused by stress concentrations. A method to simultaneously evaluate the primary stability and the load transfer is currently missing. Furthermore, the measurement errors are seldom reported in the literature. In this study a method to reliably quantify the bone implant interaction of osseointegrated transfemoral prostheses in terms of primary stability and load transfer was developed, and its precision was quantified. Micromotions between the prosthesis and the host bone and the strains on the cortical bone were measured on five human cadaveric femurs with a typical commercial osseointegrated implant. To detect the primary stability of the implant and the load transfer, cyclic loads were applied, simulating the peak load during gait. Digital Image Correlation was used to measure displacements and bone strains simultaneously throughout the test. Permanent migrations and inducible micromotions were measured (three translations and three rotations), while, on the same specimen, the full-field strain distribution on the bone surface was measured. The repeatability tests showed that the devised method had an intra-specimen variability smaller than 6 μm for the translation, 0.02 degrees for the rotations, and smaller than 60 microstrain for the strain distribution. The inter-specimen variability was larger than the intra-specimen variability due to the natural differences between femurs. Altogether, the measurement uncertainties (intrinsic measurement errors, intra-specimen repeatability and inter-specimen variability) were smaller than critical levels of biomarkers for adverse remodelling and aseptic loosening, thus allowing to discriminate between stable and unstable implants, and to detect critical strain magnitudes in the host bone. In conclusion, this work showed that it is possible to measure the primary stability and the load transfer of an osseointegrated transfemoral prosthesis in a reliable way using a combination of mechanical testing and DIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Galteri
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Palanca M, Cavazzoni G, Dall'Ara E. The role of bone metastases on the mechanical competence of human vertebrae. Bone 2023:116814. [PMID: 37257631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Spine is the most common site for bone metastases. The evaluation of the mechanical competence and failure location in metastatic vertebrae is a biomechanical and clinical challenge. Little is known about the failure behaviour of vertebrae with metastatic lesions. The aim of this study was to use combined micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) and time-lapsed mechanical testing to reveal the failure location in metastatic vertebrae. Fifteen spine segments, each including a metastatic and a radiologically healthy vertebra, were tested in compression up to failure within a microCT. Volumetric strains were measured using Digital Volume Correlation. The images of undeformed and deformed specimens were overlapped to identify the failure location. Vertebrae with lytic metastases experienced the largest average compressive strains (median ± standard deviation: -8506 ± 4748microstrain), followed by the vertebrae with mixed metastases (-7035 ± 15605microstrain), the radiologically healthy vertebrae (-5743 ± 5697microstrain), and the vertebrae with blastic metastases (-3150 ± 4641microstrain). Strain peaks were localised within and nearby the lytic lesions or around the blastic tissue. Failure between the endplate and the metastasis was identified in vertebrae with lytic metastases, whereas failure localised around the metastasis in vertebrae with blastic lesions. This study showed for the first time the role of metastases on the vertebral internal deformations. While lytic lesions lead to failure of the metastatic vertebra, vertebrae with blastic metastases are more likely to induce failure in the adjacent vertebrae. Nevertheless, every metastatic lesion affects the vertebral deformation differently, making it essential to assess how the lesion affects the bone microstructure. These results suggest that the properties of the lesion (type, size, location within the vertebral body) should be considered when developing clinical tools to predict the risk of fracture in patients with metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cavazzoni
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Cavazzoni G, Cristofolini L, Dall’Ara E, Palanca M. Bone metastases do not affect the measurement uncertainties of a global digital volume correlation algorithm. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1152358. [PMID: 37008039 PMCID: PMC10060622 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1152358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Measurement uncertainties of Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) are influenced by several factors, like input images quality, correlation algorithm, bone type, etc. However, it is still unknown if highly heterogeneous trabecular microstructures, typical of lytic and blastic metastases, affect the precision of DVC measurements.Methods: Fifteen metastatic and nine healthy vertebral bodies were scanned twice in zero-strain conditions with a micro-computed tomography (isotropic voxel size = 39 μm). The bone microstructural parameters (Bone Volume Fraction, Structure Thickness, Structure Separation, Structure Number) were calculated. Displacements and strains were evaluated through a global DVC approach (BoneDVC). The relationship between the standard deviation of the error (SDER) and the microstructural parameters was investigated in the entire vertebrae. To evaluate to what extent the measurement uncertainty is influenced by the microstructure, similar relationships were assessed within sub-regions of interest.Results: Higher variability in the SDER was found for metastatic vertebrae compared to the healthy ones (range 91-1030 με versus 222–599 με). A weak correlation was found between the SDER and the Structure Separation in metastatic vertebrae and in the sub-regions of interest, highlighting that the heterogenous trabecular microstructure only weakly affects the measurement uncertainties of BoneDVC. No correlation was found for the other microstructural parameters. The spatial distribution of the strain measurement uncertainties seemed to be associated with regions with reduced greyscale gradient variation in the microCT images.Discussion: Measurement uncertainties cannot be taken for granted but need to be assessed in each single application of the DVC to consider the minimum unavoidable measurement uncertainty when interpreting the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cavazzoni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Dall’Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Marco Palanca,
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Porcu S, Tuveri E, Palanca M, Melis C, La Franca IM, Satta J, Chiriu D, Carbonaro CM, Cortis P, De Agostini A, Ricci PC. Rapid In Situ Detection of THC and CBD in Cannabis sativa L. by 1064 nm Raman Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:10435-10442. [PMID: 35848818 PMCID: PMC9330313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The need to find a rapid and worthwhile technique for
the in situ
detection of the content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and
cannabidiol (CBD) in Cannabis sativa L. is an ever-increasing problem in the forensic field. Among all
the techniques for the detection of cannabinoids, Raman spectroscopy
can be identified as the most cost-effective, fast, noninvasive, and
nondestructive. In this study, 42 different samples were analyzed
using Raman spectroscopy with 1064 nm excitation wavelength. The use
of an IR wavelength laser showed the possibility to clearly identify
THC and CBD in fresh samples, without any further processing, knocking
out the contribution of the fluorescence generated by visible and
near-IR sources. The results allow assigning all the Raman features
in THC- and CBD-rich natural samples. The multivariate analysis underlines
the high reproducibility of the spectra and the possibility to distinguish
immediately the Raman spectra of the two cannabinoid species. Furthermore,
the ratio between the Raman bands at 1295/1440 and 1623/1663 cm–1 is identified as an immediate test parameter to evaluate
the THC content in the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Porcu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Enrica Tuveri
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Claudia Melis
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | | | - Jessica Satta
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Daniele Chiriu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Carbonaro
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Cortis
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Sant'Ignazio 13, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Antonio De Agostini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Sant'Ignazio 13, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Pier Carlo Ricci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
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Palanca M, Oliviero S, Dall'Ara E. MicroFE models of porcine vertebrae with induced bone focal lesions: Validation of predicted displacements with digital volume correlation. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 125:104872. [PMID: 34655942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The evaluation of the local mechanical behavior as a result of metastatic lesions is fundamental for the characterization of the mechanical competence of metastatic vertebrae. Micro finite element (microFE) models have the potential of addressing this challenge through laboratory studies but their predictions of local deformation due to the complexity of the bone structure compromized by the lesion must be validated against experiments. In this study, the displacements predicted by homogeneous, linear and isotropic microFE models of vertebrae were validated against experimental Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) measurements. Porcine spine segments, with and without mechanically induced focal lesions, were tested in compression within a micro computed tomography (microCT) scanner. The displacement within the bone were measured with an optimized global DVC approach (BoneDVC). MicroFE models of the intact and lesioned vertebrae, including or excluding the growth plates, were developed from the microCT images. The microFE and DVC boundary conditions were matched. The displacements measured by the DVC and predicted by the microFE along each Cartesian direction were compared. The results showed an excellent agreement between the measured and predicted displacements, both for intact and metastatic vertebrae, in the middle of the vertebra, in those cases where the structure was not loaded beyond yield (0.69 < R2 < 1.00). Models with growth plates showed the worst correlations (0.02 < R2 < 0.99), while a clear improvement was observed if the growth plates were excluded (0.56 < R2 < 1.00). In conclusion, these simplified models can predict complex displacement fields in the elastic regime with high reliability, more complex non-linear models should be implemented to predict regions with high deformation, when the bone is loaded beyond yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Sara Oliviero
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, And INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Marras D, Palanca M, Cristofolini L. Effects Induced by Osteophytes on the Strain Distribution in the Vertebral Body Under Different Loading Configurations. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:756609. [PMID: 34778229 PMCID: PMC8585771 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.756609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanical consequences of osteophytes are not completely clear. We aimed to understand whether and how the presence of an osteophyte perturbs strain distribution in the neighboring bone. The scope of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior induced by the osteophytes using full-field surface strain analysis in different loading configurations. Eight thoracolumbar segments, containing a vertebra with an osteophyte and an adjacent vertebra without an osteophyte (control), were harvested from six human spines. The position and size of the osteophytes were evaluated using clinical computed tomography imaging. The spine segments were biomechanically tested in the elastic regime in different loading configurations while the strains over the frontal and lateral surface of vertebral bodies were measured using digital image correlation. The strain fields in the vertebrae with and without osteophytes were compared. The correlation between osteophyte size and strain alteration was explored. The strain fields measured in the vertebrae with osteophytes were different from the control ones. In pure compression, we observed a mild trend between the size of the osteophyte and the strain distribution (R2 = 0.32, p = 0.15). A slightly stronger trend was found for bending (R2 = 0.44, p = 0.075). This study suggests that the osteophytes visibly perturb the strain field in the nearby vertebral area. However, the effect on the surrounding bone is not consistent. Indeed, in some cases the osteophyte shielded the neighboring bone, and in other cases, the osteophyte increased the strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Marras
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Metabolism, INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Palanca M, Liebsch C, Hübner S, Marras D, Ruspi ML, Marconi F, Cristofolini L, Wilke HJ. Global and local characterization explains the different mechanisms of failure of the human ribs. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 125:104931. [PMID: 34736031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of the mechanics and mechanistic reasons inducing rib fracture is fundamental for forensic investigations and for the design of implants and cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices. A mechanical rationale to explain the different rib mechanisms of failure is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to experimentally characterize human ribs to test the hypothesis that a correlation exists between the ribs properties and the mechanism of failure. 89 ribs were tested in antero-posterior compression. The full-field strain distribution was measured through Digital Image Correlation. The fracture load ranged 7-132 N. Two main different mechanisms of failure were observed: brittle and buckling. The strain analysis showed that the direction of principal strains was either aligned with the ribs, or oblique, around 45°, with a rather uniform direction in the most strained area. The maximum principal strains were in the range between 1000 and 30000 microstrain and the minimum principal strain between -30000 and -800 microstrain. The ribs undergoing brittle fracture had significantly thicker cortical bone than those undergoing buckling. Also, larger tensile strains were observed in the specimens with brittle fracture than in the buckling ones. These findings support the focus of cortical thickness modelling which could help in sharpening computational models for the aforesaid purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Liebsch
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Center Ulm ZTF, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shamila Hübner
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Center Ulm ZTF, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniele Marras
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Ruspi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Marconi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Hans-Joachim Wilke
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Center Ulm ZTF, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Palanca M, Barbanti-Bròdano G, Marras D, Marciante M, Serra M, Gasbarrini A, Dall'Ara E, Cristofolini L. Type, size, and position of metastatic lesions explain the deformation of the vertebrae under complex loading conditions. Bone 2021; 151:116028. [PMID: 34087385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone metastases may lead to spine instability and increase the risk of fracture. Scoring systems are available to assess critical metastases, but they lack specificity, and provide uncertain indications over a wide range, where most cases fall. The aim of this work was to use a novel biomechanical approach to evaluate the effect of lesion type, size, and location on the deformation of the metastatic vertebra. METHOD Vertebrae with metastases were identified from 16 human spines from a donation programme. The size and position of the metastases, and the Spine Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) were evaluated from clinical Quantitative Computed Tomography images. Thirty-five spine segments consisting of metastatic vertebrae and adjacent healthy controls were biomechanically tested in four different loading conditions. The strain distribution over the entire vertebral bodies was measured with Digital Image Correlation. Correlations between the features of the metastasis (type, size, position and SINS) and the deformation of the metastatic vertebrae were statistically explored. RESULTS The metastatic type (lytic, blastic, mixed) characterizes the vertebral behaviour (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.04). In fact, the lytic metastases showed more critical deformation compared to the control vertebrae (average: 2-fold increase, with peaks of 14-fold increase). By contrast, the vertebrae with mixed or blastic metastases did not show a clear trend, with deformations similar or lower than the controls. Once the position of the lytic lesion with respect to the loading direction was taken into account, the size of the lesion was significantly correlated with the perturbation to the strain distribution (r2 = 0.72, p < 0.001). Conversely, the SINS poorly correlated with the mechanical evidence, and only in case of lytic lesions (r2 = 0.25, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION These results highlight the relevance of the size and location of the lytic lesion, which are marginally considered in the current clinical scoring systems, in driving the spinal biomechanical instability. The strong correlation with the biomechanical evidence indicates that these parameters are representative of the mechanical competence of the vertebra. The improved explanatory power compared to the SINS suggests including them in future guidelines for the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Daniele Marras
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Marciante
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Serra
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Dept of Oncology and Metabolism, INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Dept of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Liebsch C, Hübner S, Palanca M, Cristofolini L, Wilke HJ. Experimental study exploring the factors that promote rib fragility in the elderly. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9307. [PMID: 33927313 PMCID: PMC8085244 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88800-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rib fractures represent a common injury type due to blunt chest trauma, affecting hospital stay and mortality especially in elderly patients. Factors promoting rib fragility, however, are little investigated. The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore potential determinants of human rib fragility in the elderly. 89 ribs from 13 human donors (55–99 years) were loaded in antero-posterior compression until fracture using a material testing machine, while surface strains were captured using a digital image correlation system. The effects of age, sex, bone mineral density, rib level and side, four global morphological factors (e.g. rib length), and seven rib cross-sectional morphological factors (e.g. cortical thickness, determined by μCT), on fracture load were statistically examined using Pearson correlation coefficients, Mann–Whitney U test as well as Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc correction. Fracture load showed significant dependencies (p < 0.05) from bone mineral density, age, antero-posterior rib length, cortical thickness, bone volume/tissue volume ratio, trabecular number, trabecular separation, and both cross-sectional area moments of inertia and was significantly higher at rib levels 7 and 8 compared to level 4 (p = 0.001/0.013), whereas side had no significant effect (p = 0.989). Cortical thickness exhibited the highest correlation with fracture load (r = 0.722), followed by the high correlation of fracture load with the area moment of inertia around the longitudinal rib cross-sectional axis (r = 0.687). High correlations with maximum external rib surface strain were detected for bone volume/tissue volume ratio (r = 0.631) and trabecular number (r = 0.648), which both also showed high correlations with the minimum internal rib surface strain (r = − 0.644/ − 0.559). Together with rib level, the determinants cortical thickness, area moment of inertia around the longitudinal rib cross-sectional axis, as well as bone mineral density exhibited the largest effects on human rib fragility with regard to the fracture load. Sex, rib cage side, and global morphology, in contrast, did not affect rib fragility in this study. When checking elderly patients for rib fractures due to blunt chest trauma, patients with low bone mineral density and the mid-thoracic area should be carefully examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Liebsch
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Centre Ulm, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shamila Hübner
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Centre Ulm, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Hans-Joachim Wilke
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Centre Ulm, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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Cristofolini L, Marino M, Luraghi G, Palanca M. Editorial: Special Issue of the Italian Chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics dedicated to "Biomechanics for in silico clinical trials". Med Eng Phys 2021; 89:12-13. [PMID: 33608120 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Michele Marino
- Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Luraghi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ''Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, and INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
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Montroni D, Palanca M, Morellato K, Fermani S, Cristofolini L, Falini G. Hierarchical chitinous matrices byssus-inspired with mechanical properties tunable by Fe(III) and oxidation. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 251:116984. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Palanca M, Perilli E, Martelli S. Body Anthropometry and Bone Strength Conjointly Determine the Risk of Hip Fracture in a Sideways Fall. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 49:1380-1390. [PMID: 33184710 PMCID: PMC8058010 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02682-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We hypothesize that variations of body anthropometry, conjointly with the bone strength, determine the risk of hip fracture. To test the hypothesis, we compared, in a simulated sideways fall, the hip impact energy to the energy needed to fracture the femur. Ten femurs from elderly donors were tested using a novel drop-tower protocol for replicating the hip fracture dynamics during a fall on the side. The impact energy was varied for each femur according to the donor’s body weight, height and soft-tissue thickness, by adjusting the drop height and mass. The fracture pattern, force, energy, strain in the superior femoral neck, bone morphology and microarchitecture were evaluated. Fracture patterns were consistent with clinically relevant hip fractures, and the superior neck strains and timings were comparable with the literature. The hip impact energy (11 – 95 J) and the fracture energy (11 – 39 J) ranges overlapped and showed comparable variance (CV = 69 and 61%, respectively). The aBMD-based definition of osteoporosis correctly classified 7 (70%) fracture/non-fracture cases. The incorrectly classified cases presented large impact energy variations, morphology variations and large subcortical voids as seen in microcomputed tomography. In conclusion, the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in a sideways fall depends on both body anthropometry and bone strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, and INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Egon Perilli
- Medical Device Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Saulo Martelli
- Medical Device Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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Techens C, Palanca M, Éltes PE, Lazáry Á, Cristofolini L. Testing the impact of discoplasty on the biomechanics of the intervertebral disc with simulated degeneration: An in vitro study. Med Eng Phys 2020; 84:51-59. [PMID: 32977922 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2020.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Percutaneous Cement Discoplasty has recently been developed to relieve pain in highly degenerated intervertebral discs presenting a vacuum phenomenon in patients that cannot undergo major surgery. Little is currently known about the biomechanical effects of discoplasty. This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of modelling empty discs and subsequent discoplasty surgery and measuring their impact over the specimen geometry and mechanical behaviour. Ten porcine lumbar spine segments were tested in flexion, extension, and lateral bending under 5.4 Nm (with a 200 N compressive force and a 27 mm offset). Tests were performed in three conditions for each specimen: with intact disc, after nucleotomy and after discoplasty. A 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system was used to measure the surface displacements and strains. The posterior disc height, range of motion (ROM), and stiffness were measured at the peak load. CT scans were performed to confirm that the cement distribution was acceptable. Discoplasty recovered the height loss caused by nucleotomy (p = 0.04) with respect to the intact condition, but it did not impact significantly either the ROM or the stiffness. The strains over the disc surface increased after nucleotomy, while discoplasty concentrated the strains on the endplates. In conclusion, this preliminary study has shown that discoplasty recovered the intervertebral posterior height, opening the neuroforamen as clinically observed, but it did not influence the spine mobility or stiffness. This study confirms that this in vitro approach can be used to investigate discoplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Techens
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento, 2, Bologna 40136, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento, 2, Bologna 40136, Italy
| | - Peter Endre Éltes
- R&D Department of National Center for Spinal Disorders, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Lazáry
- R&D Department of National Center for Spinal Disorders, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento, 2, Bologna 40136, Italy.
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Palanca M, Ruspi ML, Cristofolini L, Liebsch C, Villa T, Brayda-Bruno M, Galbusera F, Wilke HJ, La Barbera L. The strain distribution in the lumbar anterior longitudinal ligament is affected by the loading condition and bony features: An in vitro full-field analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227210. [PMID: 31935225 PMCID: PMC6959510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the ligaments is fundamental in determining the spine biomechanics in physiological and pathological conditions. The anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) is fundamental in constraining motions especially in the sagittal plane. The ALL also confines the intervertebral discs, preventing herniation. The specific contribution of the ALL has indirectly been investigated in the past as a part of whole spine segments where the structural flexibility was measured. The mechanical properties of isolated ALL have been measured as well. The strain distribution in the ALL has never been measured under pseudo-physiological conditions, as part of multi-vertebra spine segments. This would help elucidate the biomechanical function of the ALL. The aim of this study was to investigate in depth the biomechanical function of the ALL in front of the lumbar vertebrae and of the intervertebral disc. Five lumbar cadaveric spine specimens were subjected to different loading scenarios (flexion-extension, lateral bending, axial torsion) using a state-of-the-art spine tester. The full-field strain distribution on the anterior surface was measured using digital image correlation (DIC) adapted and validated for application to spine segments. The measured strain maps were highly inhomogeneous: the ALL was generally more strained in front of the discs than in front of the vertebrae, with some locally higher strains both imputable to ligament fibers and related to local bony defects. The strain distributions were significantly different among the loading configurations, but also between opposite directions of loading (flexion vs. extension, right vs. left lateral bending, clockwise vs. counterclockwise torsion). This study allowed for the first time to assess the biomechanical behaviour of the anterior longitudinal ligament for the different loading of the spine. We were able to identify both the average trends, and the local effects related to osteophytes, a key feature indicative of spine degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum–Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria Luisa Ruspi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum–Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum–Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Liebsch
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Center Ulm (ZTF), University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tomaso Villa
- Laboratory of Biological Structure Mechanics, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Brayda-Bruno
- Department of Spine Surgery III, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Hans-Joachim Wilke
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Center Ulm (ZTF), University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luigi La Barbera
- Laboratory of Biological Structure Mechanics, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Comini F, Palanca M, Cristofolini L, Dall'Ara E. Uncertainties of synchrotron microCT-based digital volume correlation bone strain measurements under simulated deformation. J Biomech 2019; 86:232-237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Ruspi M, Palanca M, Faldini C, Cristofolini L. Full-field in vitro investigation of hard and soft tissue strain in the spine by means of Digital Image Correlation. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2019. [DOI: 10.32098/mltj.04.2017.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M.L. Ruspi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Faldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy
- 2nd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute
| | - L. Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Palanca M, Barbanti-Bròdano G, Cristofolini L. The Size of Simulated Lytic Metastases Affects the Strain Distribution on the Anterior Surface of the Vertebra. J Biomech Eng 2018; 140:2686534. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic lesions of the vertebra are associated with risk of fracture, which can be disabling and life-threatening. In the literature, attempts are found to identify the parameters that reduce the strength of a metastatic vertebra leading to spine instability. However, a number of controversial issues remain. Our aim was to quantify how the strain distribution in the vertebral body is affected by the presence and by the size of a simulated metastatic defect. Five cadaveric thoracic spine segments were subjected to non-destructive presso-flexion while intact, and after simulation of metastases of increasing size. For the largest defect, the specimens were eventually tested to failure. The full-field strain distribution in the elastic range was measured with digital image correlation (DIC) on the anterior surface of the vertebral body. The mean strain in the vertebra remained similar to the intact when the defects were smaller than 30% of the vertebral volume. The mean strains became significantly larger than in the intact for larger defects. The map of strain and its statistical distribution indicated a rather uniform condition in the intact vertebra and with defects smaller than 30%. Conversely, the strain distribution became significantly different from the intact for defects larger than 30%. A strain peak appeared in the region of the simulated metastasis, where fracture initiated during the final destructive test. This is a first step in understanding how the features of metastasis influence the vertebral strain and for the construction of a mechanistic model to predicted fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Terracini 24-28, Bologna 40131, Italy e-mail:
| | - Giovanni Barbanti-Bròdano
- Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Via G.C. Pupilli 1, Bologna 40136, Italy e-mail:
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Terracini 24-28, Bologna 40131, Italy e-mail:
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Ruspi ML, Palanca M, Faldini C, Cristofolini L. Full-field in vitro investigation of hard and soft tissue strain in the spine by means of Digital Image Correlation. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2018; 7:538-545. [PMID: 29721455 DOI: 10.11138/mltj/2017.7.4.538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The spine deserves careful biomechanical investigation, because of the different types of degeneration deriving from daily stress, trauma, and hard and soft tissue pathologies. Many biomechanical studies evaluated the range of motion, structural stiffness of spine segments under different loading conditions, without addressing the strain distribution. Strain gauges have been used to measure strain in the vertebral body, in a pointwise way.What is currently missing is a method to measure the distribution of strain in the soft tissues (intervertebral discs and ligaments), and an integration between measurements in the hard and soft tissues. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a recently developed optical technique, which allows measuring the distribution of displacements and deformation in a contact-less way. It can provide a full-field view of the examined surface under load. DIC can therefore give a more complete knowledge of the biomechanics of the spine. Methods This study was performed multisegmental porcine spine specimens with two loading configurations (flexion and lateral bending), while DIC was used to measure the strain distribution. The tests showed the different deformation in the vertebral body, intervertebral discs and ligaments in compression and tension. At the same time it was possible to visualize the growth plates, which are Conclusion: Significantly softer than the vertebral bone.This work showed the feasibility of investigating the spine in a full-field way, and to quantify the strain inhomogeneity in the vertebrae and soft tissues. Therefore DIC can help improve implantable devices and the surgical technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Ruspi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cesare Faldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy.,2 Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Palanca M, Bodey AJ, Giorgi M, Viceconti M, Lacroix D, Cristofolini L, Dall'Ara E. Local displacement and strain uncertainties in different bone types by digital volume correlation of synchrotron microtomograms. J Biomech 2017; 58:27-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Tozzi G, Dall’Ara E, Palanca M, Curto M, Innocente F, Cristofolini L. Strain uncertainties from two digital volume correlation approaches in prophylactically augmented vertebrae: Local analysis on bone and cement-bone microstructures. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2017; 67:117-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- School of Engineering and Architecture, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tozzi
- School of Engineering, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- School of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Palanca M, Tozzi G, Cristofolini L, Viceconti M, Dall'Ara E. Three-Dimensional Local Measurements of Bone Strain and Displacement: Comparison of Three Digital Volume Correlation Approaches. J Biomech Eng 2015; 137:2212352. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4030174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Different digital volume correlation (DVC) approaches are currently available or under development for bone tissue micromechanics. The aim of this study was to compare accuracy and precision errors of three DVC approaches for a particular three-dimensional (3D) zero-strain condition. Trabecular and cortical bone specimens were repeatedly scanned with a micro-computed tomography (CT). The errors affecting computed displacements and strains were extracted for a known virtual translation, as well as for repeated scans. Three DVC strategies were tested: two local approaches, based on fast-Fourier-transform (DaVis-FFT) or direct-correlation (DaVis-DC), and a global approach based on elastic registration and a finite element (FE) solver (ShIRT-FE). Different computation subvolume sizes were tested. Much larger errors were found for the repeated scans than for the virtual translation test. For each algorithm, errors decreased asymptotically for larger subvolume sizes in the range explored. Considering this particular set of images, ShIRT-FE showed an overall better accuracy and precision (a few hundreds microstrain for a subvolume of 50 voxels). When the largest subvolume (50–52 voxels) was applied to cortical bone, the accuracy error obtained for repeated scans with ShIRT-FE was approximately half of that for the best local approach (DaVis-DC). The difference was lower (250 microstrain) in the case of trabecular bone. In terms of precision, the errors shown by DaVis-DC were closer to the ones computed by ShIRT-FE (differences of 131 microstrain and 157 microstrain for cortical and trabecular bone, respectively). The multipass computation available for DaVis software improved the accuracy and precision only for the DaVis-FFT in the virtual translation, particularly for trabecular bone. The better accuracy and precision of ShIRT-FE, followed by DaVis-DC, were obtained with a higher computational cost when compared to DaVis-FFT. The results underline the importance of performing a quantitative comparison of DVC methods on the same set of samples by using also repeated scans, other than virtual translation tests only. ShIRT-FE provides the most accurate and precise results for this set of images. However, both DaVis approaches show reasonable results for large nodal spacing, particularly for trabecular bone. Finally, this study highlights the importance of using sufficiently large subvolumes, in order to achieve better accuracy and precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palanca
- School of Engineering and Architecture, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, Bologna 40131, Italy e-mail:
| | - Gianluca Tozzi
- School of Engineering, University of Portsmouth, Anglesea Building, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth PO1 3DJ, UK e-mail:
| | - Luca Cristofolini
- School of Engineering and Architecture, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, Bologna 40136, Italy e-mail:
| | - Marco Viceconti
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, Pam Liversidge Building, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK e-mail:
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, Pam Liversidge Building, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK e-mail:
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