Use of high-resolution MRI for investigation of fluid flow and global permeability in a material with interconnected porosity.
We present a multi-scale experimental approach designed to improve the investigation of both localized and global fluid flow in biomaterials with randomly interconnected porosity. Coralline hydroxyapatite (ProOsteon 500 from Interpore-Cross), having a relatively well-defined porosity, was used as an in vitro model of typical bone architecture. Axial fluid velocity profiles within the pores of a cylindrical hydroxyapatite sample were characterized using high-resolution MRI in conjunction with the measurement of global flow and associated permeability based on the Darcy-type relationship. Assuming Newtonian fluid behaviour, image analysis permitted computation of local porosity, intra-pore fluid shear, and visualization of flow heterogeneity within the sample. These results may benefit applications in biomaterials for the evaluation of factors influencing bony incorporation in porous scaffolds and on porous implant and bone surfaces. Normal and diseased biological tissues are also clinical relevant applications.
Swider
Pascal
P
Biomechanics Laboratory EA 3697, University of Toulouse - CHU Purpan, 31056 Toulouse Cedex, France. swider@cict.fr
Conroy
Mark
M
Pédrono
Annaïg
A
Ambard
Dominique
D
Mantell
Sue
S
Søballe
Kjeld
K
Bechtold
Joan E
JE
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010539:Permeability; D016062:Porosity; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012212:Rheology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D018786:Bone Substitutes