Determination of displacement, stress- and strain-distribution in the human heart: a FE-model on the basis of MR imaging.

The determination of characteristic cardiac parameters, such as displacement, stress and strain distribution are essential for an understanding of the mechanics of the heart. The calculation of these parameters has been limited until recently by the use of idealised mathematical representations of biventricular geometries and by applying simple material laws. On the basis of 20 short axis heart slices and in consideration of linear and nonlinear material behaviour we have developed a FE model with about 100,000 degrees of freedom. Marching Cubes and Phong's incremental shading technique were used to visualise the three dimensional geometry. In a quasistatic FE analysis continuous distribution of regional stress and strain corresponding to the endsystolic state were calculated. Substantial regional variation of the Von Mises stress and the total strain energy were observed at all levels of the heart model. The results of both the linear elastic model and the model with a nonlinear material description (Mooney-Rivlin) were compared. While the stress distribution and peak stress values were found to be comparable, the displacement vectors obtained with the nonlinear model were generally higher in comparison with the linear elastic case indicating the need to include nonlinear effects.

Relation between plaque type, plaque thickness, blood shear stress, and plaque stress in coronary arteries assessed by X-ray Angiography and Intravascular Ultrasound

Purpose: Atheromatic plaque progression is affected, among others phenomena, by biomechanical, biochemical, and physiological factors. In this paper, the authors introduce a novel framework able to provide both morphological (vessel radius, plaque thickness, and type) and biomechanical (wall shear stress and Von Mises stress) indices of coronary arteries. Methods: First, the approach reconstructs the three-dimensional morphology of the vessel from intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) and Angiographic sequences, requiring minimal user interaction. Then, a computational pipeline allows to automatically assess fluid-dynamic and mechanical indices. Ten coronary arteries are analyzed illustrating the capabilities of the tool and confirming previous technical and clinical observations. Results: The relations between the arterial indices obtained by IVUS measurement and simulations have been quantitatively analyzed along the whole surface of the artery, extending the analysis of the coronary arteries shown in previous state of the art studies. Additionally, for the first time in the literature, the framework allows the computation of the membrane stresses using a simplified mechanical model of the arterial wall. Conclusions: Circumferentially (within a given frame), statistical analysis shows an inverse relation between the wall shear stress and the plaque thickness. At the global level (comparing a frame within the entire vessel), it is observed that heavy plaque accumulations are in general calcified and are located in the areas of the vessel having high wall shear stress. Finally, in their experiments the inverse proportionality between fluid and structural stresses is observed.

Relation between plaque type, plaque thickness, blood shear stress, and plaque stress in coronary arteries assessed by X-ray Angiography and Intravascular Ultrasound

Purpose: Atheromatic plaque progression is affected, among others phenomena, by biomechanical, biochemical, and physiological factors. In this paper, the authors introduce a novel framework able to provide both morphological (vessel radius, plaque thickness, and type) and biomechanical (wall shear stress and Von Mises stress) indices of coronary arteries. Methods: First, the approach reconstructs the three-dimensional morphology of the vessel from intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) and Angiographic sequences, requiring minimal user interaction. Then, a computational pipeline allows to automatically assess fluid-dynamic and mechanical indices. Ten coronary arteries are analyzed illustrating the capabilities of the tool and confirming previous technical and clinical observations. Results: The relations between the arterial indices obtained by IVUS measurement and simulations have been quantitatively analyzed along the whole surface of the artery, extending the analysis of the coronary arteries shown in previous state of the art studies. Additionally, for the first time in the literature, the framework allows the computation of the membrane stresses using a simplified mechanical model of the arterial wall. Conclusions: Circumferentially (within a given frame), statistical analysis shows an inverse relation between the wall shear stress and the plaque thickness. At the global level (comparing a frame within the entire vessel), it is observed that heavy plaque accumulations are in general calcified and are located in the areas of the vessel having high wall shear stress. Finally, in their experiments the inverse proportionality between fluid and structural stresses is observed.

Influence of Cusp Inclination on Stress Distribution in Implant-Supported Prostheses. A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cusp inclination on stress distribution in implant-supported prostheses by 3D finite element method.Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional models were created to simulate a mandibular bone section with an implant (3.75 mm diameter x 10 mm length) and crown by means of a 3D scanner and 3D CAD software. A screw-retained single crown was simulated using three cusp inclinations (10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees). The 3D models (model 10d, model 20d, and model 30d) were transferred to the finite element program NeiNastran 9.0 to generate a mesh and perform the stress analysis. An oblique load of 200 N was applied on the internal vestibular face of the metal ceramic crown.Results: The results were visualized by means of von Mises stress maps. Maximum stress concentration was located at the point of application. The implant showed higher stress values in model 30d (160.68 MPa). Cortical bone showed higher stress values in model 10d (28.23 MPa).Conclusion: Stresses on the implant and implant/abutment interface increased with increasing cusp inclination, and stresses on the cortical bone decreased with increasing cusp inclination.

Passivity Versus Unilateral Angular Misfit: Evaluation of Stress Distribution on Implant-Supported Single Crowns: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km on stress distribution of implant-supported single crowns with ceramic veneering and gold framework by three-dimensional finite element analysis. Two three-dimensional models representing a maxillary section of premolar region were constructed: group 1 (control)-crown completely adapted to the implant and group 2-crown with unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km. A vertical force of 100 N was applied on 2 centric points of the crown. The von Mises stress was used as an analysis criterion. The stress values and distribution in the main maps (204.4 MPa for group 1 and 205.0 MPa for group 2) and in the other structures (aesthetic veneering, framework, retention screw, implant, and bone tissue) were similar for both groups. The highest stress values were observed between the first and second threads of the retention screw. Considering the bone tissue, the highest stress values were exhibited in the peri-implant cortical bone. The unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km did not influence the stress distribution on the implant-supported prosthesis under static loading.

Regular and Platform Switching: Bone Stress Analysis Varying Implant Type

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Periodontal ligament influence on the stress distribution in a removable partial denture supported by implant: a finite element analysis

Objective: The non-homogenous aspect of periodontal ligament (PDL) has been examined using finite element analysis (FEA) to better simulate PDL behavior. The aim of this study was to assess, by 2-D FEA, the influence of non-homogenous PDL on the stress distribution when the free-end saddle removable partial denture (RPD) is partially supported by an osseointegrated implant. Material and Methods: Six finite element (FE) models of a partially edentulous mandible were created to represent two types of PDL (non-homogenous and homogenous) and two types of RPD (conventional RPD, supported by tooth and fibromucosa; and modified RPD, supported by tooth and implant [10.00x3.75 mm]). Two additional FE models without RPD were used as control models. The non-homogenous PDL was modeled using beam elements to simulate the crest, horizontal, oblique and apical fibers. The load (50 N) was applied in each cusp simultaneously. Regarding boundary conditions the border of alveolar ridge was fixed along the x axis. The FE software (Ansys 10.0) was used to compute the stress fields, and the von Mises stress criterion (sigma vM) was applied to analyze the results. Results: The peak of sigma vM in non-homogenous PDL was higher than that for the homogenous condition. The benefits of implants were enhanced for the non-homogenous PDL condition, with drastic sigma vM reduction on the posterior half of the alveolar ridge. The implant did not reduce the stress on the support tooth for both PDL conditions. Conclusion: The PDL modeled in the non-homogeneous form increased the benefits of the osseointegrated implant in comparison with the homogeneous condition. Using the non-homogenous PDL, the presence of osseointegrated implant did not reduce the stress on the supporting tooth.

Influence of microthreads and platform switching on stress distribution in bone using angled abutments

Purpose: To evaluate the stress distribution in peri-implant bone by simulating the effect of an implant with microthreads and platform switching on angled abutments through tridimensional finite element analysis. The postulated hypothesis was that the presence of microthreads and platform switching would reduce the stress concentration in the cortical bone. Methods: Four mathematical models of a central incisor supported by an implant (5.0mm×13mm) were created in which the type of thread surface in the neck portion (microthreaded or smooth) and the diameter of the angled abutment connection (5.0 and 4.1mm) were varied. These models included the RM (regular platform and microthreads), the RS (regular platform and smooth neck surface), the SM (platform switching and microthreads), and the SS (platform switching and smooth neck). The analysis was performed using ANSYS Workbench 10.0 (Swanson Analysis System). An oblique load (100N) was applied to the palatine surface of the central incisor. The bone/implant interface was considered to be perfectly integrated. Values for the maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress, the equivalent von Mises stress (σvM), and the maximum principal elastic strain (e{open}max) for cortical and trabecular bone were obtained. Results: For the cortical bone, the highest σmax (MPa) were observed for the RM (55.1), the RS (51.0), the SM (49.5), and the SS (44.8) models. The highest σvM (MPa) were found for the RM (45.4), the SM (42.1), the RS (38.7), and the SS models (37). The highest values for σmin were found for the RM, SM, RS and SS models. For the trabecular bone, the highest σmax values (MPa) were observed in the RS model (6.55), followed by the RM (6.37), SS (5.6), and SM (5.2) models. Conclusion: The hypothesis that the presence of microthreads and a switching platform would reduce the stress concentration in the cortical bone was partially rejected, mainly because the microthreads increased the stress concentration in cortical bone. Only platform switching reduced the stress in cortical bone. © 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution in retention screws of different crown-implant ratios

The retaining screw of the implant-supported dental prosthesis is the weakest point of the crown/implant system. Furthermore, crown height is another important factor that may increase the lever arm. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the stress distribution in implant prosthetic screws with different heights of the clinical crown of the prosthesis using the method of three-dimensional finite element analysis. Three models were created with implants (3.75 mm × 10 mm) and crowns (heights of 10, 12.5 and 15 mm). The results were visualised by means of von Mises stress maps that increased the crown heights. The screw structure exhibited higher levels of stresses in the oblique load. The oblique loading resulted in higher stress concentration when compared with the axial loading. It is concluded that the increase of the crown was damaging to the stress distribution on the screw, mainly in oblique loading. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

A 3-D finite element study of the influence of crown-implant ratio on stress distribution

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of crown-to-implant ratio, retention system, restorative material, and occlusal loading on stress concentrations in single short implants

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of some prosthetic parameters such as crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio, retention system, restorative material, and occlusal loading on stress concentrations within a single posterior crown supported by a short implant. Materials and Methods: Computer-aided design software was used to create 32 finite element models of an atrophic posterior partially edentulous mandible with a single external-hexagon implant (5 mm wide × 7 mm long) in the first molar region. Finite element analysis software with a convergence analysis of 5% to mesh refinement was used to evaluate the effects of C/I ratio (1:1; 1.5:1; 2:1, or 2.5:1), prosthetic retention system (cemented or screwed), and restorative material (metal-ceramic or all ceramic). The crowns were loaded with simulated normal or traumatic occlusal forces. The maximum principal stress (σmax) for cortical and cancellous bone and von Mises stress (σvM) for the implant and abutment screw were computed and analyzed. The percent contribution of each variable to the stress concentration was calculated from the sum of squares analysis. Results: Traumatic occlusion and a high C/I ratio increased stress concentrations. The C/I ratio was responsible for 11.45% of the total stress in the cortical bone, whereas occlusal loading contributed 70.92% to the total stress in the implant. The retention system contributed 0.91% of the total stress in the cortical bone. The restorative material was responsible for only 0.09% of the total stress in the cancellous bone. Conclusion: Occlusal loading was the most important stress concentration factor in the finite element model of a single posterior crown supported by a short implant.

Einfluss von oxidativem Stress auf die DNA-Reparatur in Säugerzellen

Gegenstand dieser Arbeit war es, das Zusammenspiel zwischen DNA-Reparatur und zellulärem anitoxidativen Abwehrsystem in Melanomzellen und gesunden Hautfibroblasten näher zu untersuchen. Dabei konnte gezeigt werden, dass die dominierenden DNA-Läsionen im Falle einer Bestrahlung mit sichtbarem Licht (400 – 800 nm) Fpg-sensitive Läsionen, zu denen die Basenmodifikation 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxoguanin (8-oxoG) gehört, und im Falle der UVA-Bestrahlung Cyclobutan-Pyrimidindimere (CPDs) sind. Sowohl Melanomzellen als auch Hautfibroblasten waren problemlos in der Lage, die durch sichtbares Licht und UVA-Strahlung induzierten oxidativen DNA-Modifikationen zu reparieren. Jedoch reagierten Melanomzellen in einer adaptiven Antwort mit einer Erhöhung ihres Glutathion-Gehalts auf ein Maximum (nach circa 10 - 14 h) nach Bestrahlung mit sichtbarem Licht, wohingegen die Hautfibroblasten einen massiven Einbruch direkt nach Bestrahlung und eine extrem lange Erholungsphase über 48 h aufzuweisen hatten. Die darauffolgende Untersuchung der DNA-Reparaturkapazität der Zellen unter Bedingungen von oxidativem Stress mit vorangegangener Depletion intrazellulären Glutathions zeigten eine dramatische, nahezu vollständige Hemmung der Reparatur durch UVA- bzw. Sonnenlicht-induzierter Fpg-sensitiver DNA-Modifikationen (8-oxoG) - sowohl in Melanomzellen als auch in Hautfibroblasten. Dieser Effekt ließ sich durch den Zusatz von Dithiothreitol (DTT), nach erfolgter Bestrahlung der Glutathion-depletierten Zellen, wieder komplett revertieren. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass an der Reparatur ein redoxempfindliches Protein oder zellulärer Cofaktor beteiligt sein muß. Zudem konnte durch Untersuchungen der Nukleotidexzisionsreparatur (NER) und der Einzelstrangbruchreparatur nach dem gleichen Versuchsdesign gezeigt werden, dass es sich hierbei sehr wahrscheinlich um einen für die Basenexzisionsreparatur (BER) von 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-guanine (8-oxoG) exklusiven Effekt handelte. Zwei der wichtigsten Reparaturproteine der BER, nämlich hOGG1 und APE1, wurden anschließend auf ihre Funktionsfähigkeit hin untersucht, da es naheliegend war, dass der Reparaturhemmung ein Funktionsverlust eines dieser beiden Enzyme zugrunde liegen könnte. Im Falle des APE1-Proteins konnte dies ausgeschlossen werden, da mit Hilfe der Alkalischen Elution die volle Funktionsfähigkeit für die Reparatur von AP-Läsionen nachgewiesen werden konnte. Interessanterweise zeigte aber das hOGG1-Protein eine zwischen der dritten und vierten Stunde nach Bestrahlung Glutathion-depletierter Zellen stark abfallende Aktivität der 8-oxoG-Glykosylasefunktion. Die Western-Blot-Analyse ergab allerdings keinen Hinweis auf eine Proteinoxidation von hOGG1. Möglicherweise wird nicht hOGG1 selbst, wohl aber ein anderes, für eine konzertierte Abfolge der einzelnen Reparaturschritte entscheidend notwendiges Protein innerhalb der Zelle durch ROS leicht oxidiert. In jedem Fall bleibt festzustellen, dass Glutathion eine wichtige Aufgabe hinsichtlich einer voll funktionsfähigen Basenexzisionreparatur zuzukommen scheint. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die mögliche Bedeutung von oxidativem Stress für die Entstehung von Krebs durch Sonnenlicht, insbesondere durch UVA, da die durch die Strahlung (und eventuell auftretende Entzündung) gebildeten ROS nicht nur DNA-Schäden induzieren, sondern auch ihre Reparatur verhindern können.

Finite element modeling of the cement-bone interface beneath the tibial tray of a total knee arthroplasty: Study of the stress shielding effect (modellazione agli elementi finiti dell'interfaccia cemento-osso sotto il piatto tibiale di protesi totale di ginocchio: Analisi dello stress shielding)

The goal of this thesis was the study of the cement-bone interface in the tibial component of a cemented total knee prosthesis. One of the things you can see in specimens after in vivo service is that resorption of bone occurs in the interdigitated region between bone and cement. A stress shielding effect was investigated as a cause to explain bone resorption. Stress shielding occurs when bone is loaded less than physiological and therefore it starts remodeling according to the new loading conditions. µCT images were used to obtain 3D models of the bone and cement structure and a Finite Element Analysis was used to simulate different kind of loads. Resorption was also simulated by performing erosion operations in the interdigitated bone region. Finally, 4 models were simulated: bone (trabecular), bone with cement, and two models of bone with cement after progressive erosions of the bone. Compression, tension and shear test were simulated for each model in displacement-control until 2% of strain. The results show how the principal strain and Von Mises stress decrease after adding the cement on the structure and after the erosion operations. These results show that a stress shielding effect does occur and rises after resorption starts.

Stress and Strain Adaptation in Load-Dependent Remodeling of the Embryonic Left Ventricle

Altered pressure in the developing left ventricle (LV) results in altered morphology and tissue material properties. Mechanical stress and strain may play a role in the regulating process. This study showed that confocal microscopy, three-dimensional reconstruction, and finite element analysis can provide a detailed model of stress and strain in the trabeculated embryonic heart. The method was used to test the hypothesis that end-diastolic strains are normalized after altered loading of the LV during the stages of trabecular compaction and chamber formation. Stage-29 chick LVs subjected to pressure overload and underload at stage 21 were reconstructed with full trabecular morphology from confocal images and analyzed with finite element techniques. Measured material properties and intraventricular pressures were specified in the models. The results show volume-weighted end-diastolic von Mises stress and strain averaging 50–82% higher in the trabecular tissue than in the compact wall. The volume-weighted-average stresses for the entire LV were 115, 64, and 147Pa in control, underloaded, and overloaded models, while strains were 11, 7, and 4%; thus, neither was normalized in a volume-weighted sense. Localized epicardial strains at mid-longitudinal level were similar among the three groups and to strains measured from high-resolution ultrasound images. Sensitivity analysis showed changes in material properties are more significant than changes in geometry in the overloaded strain adaptation, although resulting stress was similar in both types of adaptation. These results emphasize the importance of appropriate metrics and the role of trabecular tissue in evaluating the evolution of stress and strain in relation to pressure-induced adaptation.