title: Viscoelastic behavior of composite ligament prostheses.
abstract: Despite the compelling need for artificial connective tissue replacements for orthopedic applications, to date, there is no material which can adequately reproduce the mechanical behavior of natural tissue with necessary long-term endurance. In this work, we introduce a novel soft composite material as a more suitable candidate for connective tissue replacement. The material proposed is based on a hydrogel-polymer matrix reinforced with poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers wound helically to mimic the architecture of the collagen fibers in natural tissue. Macroscopic behaviors such as static stress-strain, stress relaxation, and dynamic frequency responses can be modulated with choice of the components and design of the composite structure. In doing so, the mechanical characteristics of natural ligaments can be qualitatively reproduced and sustained over time.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Composite Materials Technology, National Research Council, and Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iannace
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Netti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicolais
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D004548:Elasticity; D008022:Ligaments; D008422:Materials Testing; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins