Mechanical bone growth stimulation by magnetic fibre networks obtained through a competent finite element technique

Abstract

Fibre networks combined with a matrix material in their void phase make the design of novel and smart composite materials possible. Their application is of great interest in the field of advanced paper or as bioactive tissue engineering scaffolds. In the present study, we analyse the mechanical interaction between metallic fibre networks under magnetic actuation and a matrix material. Experimentally validated FE models are combined for that purpose in one joint simulation. High performance computing facilities are used. The resulting strain in the composite’s matrix is not uniform across the sample volume. Instead we show that boundary conditions and proximity to the fibre structure strongly influence the local strain magnitude. An analytical model of local strain magnitude is derived. The strain magnitude of 0.001 which is of particular interest for bone growth stimulation is achievable by this assembly. In light of these findings, the investigated composite structure is suitable for creating and for regulating contactless a stress field which is to be imposed on the matrix material. Topics for future research will be the advanced modelling of the biological components and the potential medical utilisation.

On the quantification of local power densities in a new vibration bioreactor

“…In our paper here, we investigate the migration of vibration into petri dishes and culture medium. The investigations build up on our previous work on structural vibration responses [ 1 – 3 ] and cell mechanics [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…For both types of studies, the intracellular processes taking places are still not understood fully. The basic effect of bone reacting to vibration has been shown in 1984 already and has been subject of our previous work [ 4 , 5 , 17 , 18 ]. One great shortcoming of the existing HIFU method is that ultrasound is an indirect way of mechanical excitation.…”

Nano-CT scans in the optimisation of purposeful experimental procedures: A study on metallic fibre networks

“…Together with experimentally validated finite element (FE) simulations, the deformation of ferromagnetic fibre networks under magnetic actuation is investigated numerically. Previous studies have estimated the deformation on global level [2,3], they relied on simplified single-fibre geometries [4], or they investigated a reduced sample volume in interaction with matrix materials [5]. The presented results now are for real fibre network geometries obtained by nano-CT scans.…”

“…The mechanics, as well as the architectural patterns, of sintered fibre networks, as used for the present study, have been investigated experimentally and numerically [7,8,9,10,6]. Beam theory offers an elegant simplification for computational, cheap simulation of fibre networks under mechanical or magnetic actuation [10,5]. A magnetic actuation model for ferromagnetic fibre networks has been proposed and applied [4,5].…”

Experimental-Numerical Design and Evaluation of a Vibration Bioreactor Using Piezoelectric Patches

“…Research results were published on aspects about patient benefits such as limb salvaging and noninvasive therapy [17,18,19,20]. The beneficial effects of cyclical loadings at low frequencies on the growth of bone tissue [21,22,23,24] and on endothelial cells [25,26] are well documented. These effects are known to be achieved in the hertz range.…”