title: Biomechanical characterization of cartilages by a novel approach of blunt impact testing.
abstract: The present article introduces a novel method of characterizing the macromechanical cartilage properties based on dynamic testing. The proposed approach of instrumented impact testing shows the possibility of more detailed investigation of the acting dynamic forces and corresponding deformations within the wide range of strain rates and loads, including the unloading part of stress-strain curves and hysteresis loops. The presented results of the unconfined compression testing of both the native joint cartilage tissues and potential substitute materials outlined the opportunity to measure the dissipation energy and thus to identify the initial mechanical deterioration symptoms and to introduce a better definition of material damage. Based on the analysis of measured specimen deformation, the intact and pathologically changed cartilage tissue can be distinguished and the differences revealed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. ferdinand.varga@lf2.cuni.cz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drzík
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Handl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chlpík
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Filová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rampichová
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Necas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trc
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D019245:Compressive Strength; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds