Article
Engineering, Industrial
Jordan T. Sturdy, Pinata H. Sessoms, Anne K. Silverman
Summary: Military service members often suffer from musculoskeletal injuries of the lumbar spine due to heavy backpack loads. Backpack design influences joint contact forces, but the contact forces were similar between different backpack configurations. Future studies should involve more participants, consider different walking conditions, and analyze various backpack load distributions to further improve backpack design.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeanette Henkelmann, Dina Wiersbicki, Hanno Steinke, Timm Denecke, Christoph-Eckhard Heyde, Anna Voelker
Summary: In this study, the detectability of lumbar intraforaminal ligaments (IFL) using high spatial resolution MRI was investigated in vivo in adult patients. The results showed successful detection of lumbar IFLs in every patient, with good interrater reliability. This study provides a starting point for further clinical research on the potential impact of altered IFLs on radicular pain.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Pierre-Hugo Minster, Yoann Lafon, Philippe Beillas
Summary: Finite element models of the lumbar spine often neglect differences between testing and in situ initial ligament length. This study proposes a numerical methodology to identify ranges of ligament laxities or preloads compatible with the selected tensile ligament properties and the range of motion (RoM) the model aims to simulate.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ralph Laeubli, Robin Brugger, Tatiana Pirvu, Sven Hoppe, Dominik Sieron, Karol Szyluk, Christoph E. Albers, Andreas Christe
Summary: This study found that the presence of disproportionate motion segments in the lower spine may lead to a significantly higher risk for disc herniation in patients undergoing discectomy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Zachary Ferguson, Minchen Li, Teseo Schneider, Francisca Gil-Ureta, Timothy Langlois, Chenfanfu Jiang, Denis Zorin, Danny M. Kaufman, Daniele Panozzo
Summary: We have introduced the first implicit time-stepping algorithm for rigid body dynamics, with contact and friction, that ensures intersection-free configurations at every time step. Our algorithm explicitly models the curved trajectories traced by rigid bodies in collision detection and response.
ACM TRANSACTIONS ON GRAPHICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luigi La Barbera, Hans-Joachim Wilke, Maria Luisa Ruspi, Marco Palanca, Christian Liebsch, Andrea Luca, Marco Brayda-Bruno, Fabio Galbusera, Luca Cristofolini
Summary: The load-sharing between the ventral spinal structures and posterior instrumentation is crucial after PSO surgery. Additional accessory rods can reduce strain on the posterior rods, facilitating load transfer and explaining the higher fusion rate with decreased rod fracture risk.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mazda Farshad, Christos Tsagkaris, Jonas Widmer, Marie-Rosa Fasser, Frederic Cornaz, Anna-Katharina Calek
Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop ligamentous vertebral stabilization techniques that can be used after microsurgical decompression and midline decompression, and to elaborate their biomechanical characteristics. The results showed that vertebral stabilization significantly reduced the range of motion, especially in flexion-extension.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Luis Fernando Nicolini, Agnes Beckmann, Markus Laubach, Frank Hildebrand, Philipp Kobbe, Carlos Rodrigo de Mello Roesler, Eduardo Alberto Fancello, Bernd Markert, Marcus Stoffel
Summary: We propose a systematic and automated method to calibrate computational models of the spine. By conducting a sequential resection study, we determine the individual contribution of the intervertebral discs, facet joints, and ligaments to the kinematics of the spine. Using a Genetic Algorithm, we calibrate the properties of the discs and facet joints, and develop a simple technique to calibrate each ligament. The calibrated model can accurately reproduce experimental results.
MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Jun-Yu Ni, Wei-Xi Huang, Chun-Xiao Xu
Summary: The interaction between a rigid-flexible system and ambient fluid was numerically simulated using the immersed boundary method. It was found that as the length of the flexible filament increases, the filament experiences different modes including plate-like (P), cylinder-like (C), slender-shape (S), and wriggling (W) modes. When the filament length reaches a critical value, the second harmonic becomes dominant, indicating a transition from the S mode to the W mode, and at this transition point, the drag on the system becomes minimum. The occurrence of the S-W mode transition is caused by the increased inertia of the filament.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sang Yoon Lee, Dong Hyun Kim, Sang Joon Park, Jinhee Park, Sun Gun Chung, Jae-Young Lim
Summary: In this study, lateral whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (lateral DXA) was found to positively correlate with three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) in assessing lumbar paraspinal muscle (LPM) mass in older adults. Lateral DXA may be a potential substitute for the cross-sectional area measurement of LPM mass and is associated with other muscle-related factors. Further studies are needed to validate the efficacy of lateral DXA technique in assessing LPM mass.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Simone Borrelli, Giovanni Putame, Giulia Pascoletti, Mara Terzini, Elisabetta M. Zanetti
Summary: This study performs a meta-analysis of the flexion/extension behavior of the lumbar spine under various boundary conditions. The results illustrate the impact of different boundary conditions reported in the literature, explaining the biomechanical behavior differences observed in different setups. The numerical approach used in this study effectively bypasses the natural variability among specimens and provides comprehensive information on the behavior of each functional spinal unit.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Bahar Shahidi, Jennifer A. Padwal, Jeannie J. Su, Gilad Regev, Vinko Zlomislic, R. Todd Allen, Steven R. Garfin, Choll Kim, Richard L. Lieber, Samuel R. Ward
Summary: This study compared the passive mechanical properties of single fibers and fiber bundles of the multifidus muscle in patients undergoing primary versus revision surgery, and in muscles with mild versus severe fatty infiltration. The results showed that at the single fiber level, the elastic modulus was unaffected by fatty infiltration or surgery status, but was lower in females and younger individuals. At the fiber bundle level, severe fatty infiltration and younger age were associated with lower elastic modulus.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marie-Rosa Fasser, Moritz Jokeit, Mirjam Kalthoff, David A. Gomez Romero, Tudor Trache, Jess G. Snedeker, Mazda Farshad, Jonas Widmer
Summary: Musculoskeletal modeling is a commonly used method in spine biomechanics, providing detailed information on joint loading. A procedure was developed for the automated generation of semi-subject-specific multi-rigid body models, personalized using information from annotated EOS images. The method shows promise for studying clinical questions related to joint loading and pathomechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Mohammadhossein Akhavanfar, Thomas K. Uchida, Allison L. Clouthier, Ryan B. Graham
Summary: This study compares different hand-mass interaction modeling approaches for estimating spinal loads and recommends a modeling method that performs well in terms of accuracy and computational expense.
MULTIBODY SYSTEM DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Robert Rockenfeller
Summary: This study aims to investigate the changes in spinal shape during daily activities and identify which parts undergo significant changes. Motion capture data from 17 healthy individuals were used to analyze spinal shape characteristics. The results show that individual spinal shape is recognizably preserved during all activities, with walking having no significant effect on spinal curvature, while sitting and forward bending significantly altering the lumbar and whole spine curvature, respectively. Torsion did not show any significant alterations.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pall Asgeir Bjornsson, Alexander Baker, Ingmar Fleps, Yves Pauchard, Halldor Palsson, Stephen J. Ferguson, Sigurdur Sigurdsson, Vilmundur Gudnason, Benedikt Helgason, Lotta Maria Ellingsen
Summary: This study proposes a deep neural network-based automated femur segmentation method, which can accurately and quickly segment the proximal femur, suitable for hip-fracture risk screening.
COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING-IMAGING AND VISUALIZATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dominika Ignasiak, Pascal Behm, Anne F. Mannion, Fabio Galbusera, Frank Kleinstuck, Tamas F. Fekete, Daniel Haschtmann, Dezso Jeszenszky, Laura Zimmermann, Sarah Richner-Wunderlin, Alba Vila-Casademunt, Ferran Pellise, Ibrahim Obeid, Javier Pizones, Francisco J. Sanchez Perez-Grueso, Muhammed Ilkay Karaman, Ahmet Alanay, Caglar Yilgor, Stephen J. Ferguson, Markus Loibl
Summary: Sagittal malalignment is a risk factor for mechanical complications after surgery for adult spinal deformity. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between postoperative changes in loads at the proximal segment and realignment, as well as the relationships between absolute postoperative loads and postoperative alignment measures. Patient-specific alignments were simulated based on clinical and radiographic data to predict loads at the proximal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anita Fung, Ingmar Fleps, Peter A. Cripton, Pierre Guy, Stephen J. Ferguson, Benedikt Helgason
Summary: Sideways falls causing femoral fractures are a major concern for the elderly, and current prevention methods are not very effective. Prophylactic femoral augmentation systems involving ceramic-based bone cements are gaining attention as a potential alternative. This study evaluated the mechanical effectiveness of different bone cement injection patterns and found that supporting the femoral neck cortex is crucial in preventing fractures.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Shaghayegh Basatvat, Frances C. Bach, Marcos N. Barcellona, Abbie L. Binch, Conor T. Buckley, Brian Bueno, Nadeen O. Chahine, Ana Chee, Laura B. Creemers, Stefan Dudli, Bailey Fearing, Stephen J. Ferguson, Jennifer Gansau, Benjamin Gantenbein, Rahul Gawri, Juliane D. Glaeser, Sibylle Grad, Julien Guerrero, Lisbet Haglund, Paula A. Hernandez, Judith A. Hoyland, Charles Huang, James C. Iatridis, Svenja Illien-Junger, Liufang Jing, Petra Kraus, Lisanne T. Laagland, Gernot Lang, Victor Leung, Zhen Li, Thomas Lufkin, Josette C. van Maanen, Emily E. McDonnell, Chris J. Panebianco, Steven M. Presciutti, Sanjna Rao, Stephen M. Richardson, Sarah Romereim, Tara C. Schmitz, Jordy Schol, Lori Setton, Dmitriy Sheyn, Joseph W. Snuggs, Y. Sun, Xiaohong Tan, Marianna A. Tryfonidou, Nam Vo, Dong Wang, Brandon Williams, Rebecca Williams, S. Tim Yoon, Christine L. Le Maitre
Summary: This study aims to standardize the extraction and expansion techniques for nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, in order to reduce variability between laboratories and improve comparability of results. The most commonly used methods for NP cell extraction, expansion, and re-differentiation were identified through a global survey. Recommended protocols for NP cell culture in different species were provided to support harmonization and cross-lab comparisons.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stephanie Huber, Yann Ladner, Martin J. Stoddart, Michael Leunig, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: The study aimed to characterize the transcriptome and mechanobiological function of the labrum, a fibrocartilaginous ring surrounding the acetabulum. RNA-seq and gene ontology analysis revealed significant differential expression of genes associated with extracellular matrix organization between the labrum and cartilage tissue. Mechanical loading upregulated genes related to the extracellular matrix and preserved tissue adaptation mechanism. This research provides important insights for the development of labrum tissue-engineering solutions.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jenny Carlsson, Anna Braesch-Andersen, Stephen J. Ferguson, Per Isaksson
Summary: A dynamic phase-field fracture finite element model is used to investigate rapid bone fracture in human trabecular bone based on high-resolution three-dimensional computed tomography images. The model is compared to quasi-static experimental results and a quasi-static phase-field finite element model. The experiment shows complex crack evolution with multiple crack fronts and crack arrests, while the quasi-static phase-field fracture model can reasonably capture the fractures in the experiment. At higher load rates, inertia effects significantly contribute to increased stiffness, higher peak forces, and more cracks spread over a larger volume. The study concludes that dynamic fracture models are necessary for simulating rapid bone fracture.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Salim E. E. Darwiche, Anna Kaczmarek, Peter Schwarzenberg, Brendan J. J. Inglis, Beat Lechmann, Peter Kronen, Stephen J. J. Ferguson, Hannah Dailey, Brigitte von Rechenberg, Karina Klein
Summary: Therapies using electromagnetic field technology show evidence of enhanced bone regeneration, resulting in improved new bone structure and biomechanical properties. The study suggests that combining electric and magnetic field treatment can accelerate bone healing and transform orthopedic implants into active devices for stimulating bone tissue.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fabio D'Isidoro, Clara Brockmann, Bernd Friesenbichler, Thomas Zumbrunn, Michael Leunig, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: This study used a moving fluoroscopic robot to measure the hip joint motion of 15 patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) during unrestricted activities of daily living. The results showed that current pre-clinical wear testing procedures do not accurately reflect the in-vivo daily motions of THA patients. The patient-specific kinematics measured can be used for in vitro and computational simulations to investigate the impact of individual motion patterns on predicted wear or impingement.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Delia Schumperlin, Christoph Scharer, Luzia Kalberer, Stephen J. Ferguson, Silvio R. Lorenzetti
Summary: This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of a textile insole for measuring ground reaction force (GRF) during landing tasks. Compared to force plate data, most of the statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the force curves measured by the insoles. However, the insoles underestimated the maximal vertical GRF during measurement.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seunghun S. Lee, Nicole Kleger, Gisela A. Kuhn, Helen Greutert, Xiaoyu Du, Thijs Smit, Andre R. Studart, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: Digital Light Processing is used to fabricate a hive-structured assemblable bespoke scaffold (HIVE) that can be manually assembled and customized for specific defect. It can be filled with different biological factors in different areas to provide site-specific treatments. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, it has been shown to induce osteogenesis and angiogenesis in a controlled manner.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Aapo Ristaniemi, Amra Secerovic, Vincent Dischl, Francesco Crivelli, Sarah Heub, Diane Ledroit, Gilles Weder, Sibylle Grad, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: The physiological and degenerative levels of maximum principal strains and stresses in bovine intervertebral disc tissue were determined through finite element analysis. It was found that when applying 0.1 MPa of compression and +/- 2-3 degrees of flexion and +/- 1-2 degrees of torsion, the mechanical parameters remained at physiological levels. However, with +/- 6-8 degrees of flexion in combination with +/- 2-4 degrees of torsion, the stresses in the outer annulus fibrosus exceeded degenerative levels. These findings provide important guidelines for bioreactor experiments with bovine intervertebral discs.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andre M. Souza Plath, Stephanie Huber, Serena R. R. Alfarano, Daniel F. F. Abbott, Minghan Hu, Victor Mougel, Lucio Isa, Stephen J. J. Ferguson
Summary: To improve the integration of osteoarthritis scaffold-based grafts, electrospun poly(& epsilon;-caprolactone)/zein-based scaffolds were proposed. The zein surface segregation in the membranes changed the hydrophobic behavior of the materials and increased the cell yield and metabolic activity. The co-electrospun PCL/zein scaffolds showed promising surface and biocompatibility properties for articular-tissue-engineering applications.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaoyu Du, Sean Ronayne, Seunghun S. Lee, Jackson Hendry, Douglas Hoxworth, Ryan Bock, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: This study focused on the fabrication of 3D-printed polyether ether ketone/silicon nitride (PEEK/SiN) scaffolds with a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure. The scaffolds demonstrated similar mechanical properties to trabecular bone and stimulated osteogenic differentiation. As a result, PEEK/SiN TPMS scaffolds show significant potential for bone tissue engineering and as candidates for spinal fusion implants.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jean Schoeller, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Stephen J. J. Ferguson, Markus Rottmar, Jonathan Avaro, Yvonne Elbs-Glatz, Michael Chung, Rene M. Rossi
Summary: The ability of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) nanofibers to release ibuprofen for the treatment of chronic wounds was evaluated. The electrospinning of different compositions of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) copolymers was optimized, and the release kinetics of ibuprofen from the nanofibers at different temperatures were studied. The scaffolds also showed no cytotoxicity to normal human fibroblasts, indicating their potential for use in chronic wound treatment.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Xiaoyu Du, Yijun Zhou, Lingzhe Li, Cecilia Persson, Stephen J. Ferguson
Summary: Investigating the dynamic properties of implants is crucial for their safety and compatibility with natural spinal tissue. This study presents a simplified model of a cantilever beam to explore the effects of holes/pores on the structures. The natural frequencies and damping ratios of cantilever beams with open holes made of polycarbonate (PC) were investigated numerically, analytically, and experimentally. Finite element analysis accurately simulated the damped vibration behavior of cantilever beams with open holes, highlighting the potential of this method for analyzing the dynamic response of complex structures and improving implant design.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2023)