title: Geometric characterization and simulation of planar layered elastomeric fibrous biomaterials.
abstract: Many important biomaterials are composed of multiple layers of networked fibers. While there is a growing interest in modeling and simulation of the mechanical response of these biomaterials, a theoretical foundation for such simulations has yet to be firmly established. Moreover, correctly identifying and matching key geometric features is a critically important first step for performing reliable mechanical simulations. The present work addresses these issues in two ways. First, using methods of geometric probability, we develop theoretical estimates for the mean linear and areal fiber intersection densities for 2-D fibrous networks. These densities are expressed in terms of the fiber density and the orientation distribution function, both of which are relatively easy-to-measure properties. Secondly, we develop a random walk algorithm for geometric simulation of 2-D fibrous networks which can accurately reproduce the prescribed fiber density and orientation distribution function. Furthermore, the linear and areal fiber intersection densities obtained with the algorithm are in agreement with the theoretical estimates. Both theoretical and computational results are compared with those obtained by post-processing of scanning electron microscope images of actual scaffolds. These comparisons reveal difficulties inherent to resolving fine details of multilayered fibrous networks. The methods provided herein can provide a rational means to define and generate key geometric features from experimentally measured or prescribed scaffold structural data.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Simulation, Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Carleton
authors.affiliation: McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amore
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Simulation, Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Feaver
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Simulation, Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Simulation, Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: msacks@ices.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sacks
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020724:Elastomers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020724:Elastomers
keywords: Electrospun; Fiber geometry; Micromechanics; Scaffolds; Simulation