Biomedical subjects

G W Stachowiak

Publications and source records attributed to G W Stachowiak.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Temperature prediction in a finite element model for sliding contact analysis of total hip prosthesis.

A finite-element model for sliding contact in total hip joint prosthesis is presented in this paper. The hip prosthesis studied consists of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cup articulating against cobalt-chrome and alumina-ceramic femoral heads. Various aspects of prosthesis operation were analysed using the finite-element model. For example, bulk material and surface stresses were analysed under varying conditions of elastic modulus, friction coefficient, sliding speed, and radial clearance. The resulting variations of temperature were also recorded. The results obtained from the model are useful in understanding the operating conditions and the causes of wear in the hip prosthesis.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2002

A rig for acquisition of standardized trabecular bone radiographs.

To assess osteoarthritic changes in knee joints a radiography rig for acquisition of standardized radiographs of trabecular bone has been developed. The rig contains a steel frame on castors, a turntable, a cassette holder frame, calibration Plexiglas sheets, body supports and points. It is used to lock the patient in a standardized position. A film cassette holder frame was also developed to reduce scattering of X-rays, and consequently the amount of noise in the radiographs. Calibration Plexiglas sheets were mounted on ball bearing slides to obtain radiographs without a calibration pattern (suitable for the analysis of trabecular bone texture) and radiographs containing a calibration pattern (suitable for the measurement of leg alignment).

Disease Progression↗

PubMed2002

Analysis of trabecular bone texture by modified Hurst orientation transform method.

There is a growing need for noninvasive and inexpensive methods that can effectively be used on a large scale, to detect an onset of early osteoarthritis in human knee joints. Of many possible options, fractal analysis of two-dimensional projection x-ray images of trabecular bone (TB) texture, appears as one of the best approaches. However, there are some problems associated with the characterization of the roughness and anisotropy of the bone texture. To resolve these problems, a modified Hurst orientation transform (HOT) method, previously developed by the authors, has been used in this study. The advantages of the HOT method over other techniques used to analyze bone texture, are that it calculates a two-dimensional fractal dimension in all possible directions and also provides a measure of anisotropy for both surfaces exhibiting strong anisotropy and surfaces exhibiting weak anisotropy. In this study, the accuracy of the HOT method in measuring the bone texture roughness and anisotropy; together with the effects of image noise, blur, exposure, magnification, and projection angle on its performance were investigated. Computer-generated images of fractal surfaces and x-ray images obtained for a human tibia head were used. Results obtained show that the HOT method can effectively be used to characterize the roughness and anisotropy (isotropy) of TB texture.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2000

The effects of conformity and load in total knee replacement.

The effects of different conformity ratios and loads on the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene stress levels acting on knee implants were examined using a nonlinear, finite element analysis. The contact condition between a rigid cylinder with a radius of 30 mm and a polyethylene plate was modeled. Nonlinear behavior of polyethylene was assumed. The polyethylene plate was constructed with varying radii, with a minimal thickness of 6 mm and with a width of 40 mm. The ratio of the cylinder radius to the radius of the polyethylene plate was defined as the conformity ratio; a conformity ratio of 0 represented a flat tibial inlay, whereas the highest ratio modeled of 0.99 was nearly conforming. The conformity ratios modeled were 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 0.95, and 0.99. The loads applied were 1000 N, 2000 N, 3000 N, 4000 N, 5000 N, and 6000 N. The effects of different conformity ratios and loads on the contact area (mm2), the compressive surface stress (MPa), the shear stress (MPa), and the von Mises stress (MPa) were investigated. It was found that all of these parameters were affected by changes to the conformity ratio and to a lesser extent by load changes. That is, increasing the load from 3000 N to 6000 N resulted in a surface and shear stress increase lower than the increase in stress caused by the small change of the conformity ratio from 0.99 to 0.95. The effect of an increasing conformity ratio on the reduction in stress was more pronounced for conformity ratios above 0.8. In addition, the effect of a load increase for a flat tibial inlay was two times greater than for one with near full conformity.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1998

Shape of wear particles found in human knee joints and their relationship to osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and compare the shape of wear particles found in healthy and osteoarthritic human knee joints for monitoring the progress of osteoarthritis, the long-term prognosis and to evaluate therapeutic regimens. METHOD: Joint particles from seven patients with normal cartilage in all compartments of the knee joint, 12 patients with fibrillation of less than half the cartilage thickness (grade 1), seven patients with fibrillation of more than half the cartilage thickness (grade 2) and four patients with erosions down to bone (grade 3) were analysed. A total of 565 particles were extracted from synovial fluid samples by ferrography and analysed in a scanning electron microscope. A number of numerical descriptors, i.e. boundary fractal dimension, shape factor, convexity and elongation, were calculated for each particle image and correlated to the degree of osteoarthritis using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Experiments demonstrated that there were significant differences between the numerical descriptors calculated for wear particles from healthy and osteoarthritic knee joints (P < 0.01), suggesting that the particle shape can be used as an indicator of the joint condition. In particular, the fractal dimension of the particle boundary was shown to correlate directly with the degree of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Numerical analysis of the shape of wear particles found in human knee joints may provide a reliable means for the assessment of cartilage repair after surgical or conservative treatment of osteoarthritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Analysis of wear particle boundaries found in sheep knee joints during in vitro wear tests without muscle compensation.

Pair of sheep knee joints were used in the experiments. One of the joints was worn in a simulator over different periods of time under carefully simulated physiological forces and kinematic cycles while the other, 'control joint', was kept intact for comparison. Wear particles were extracted from a synovial fluid from both the worn and unworn sheep joints by a ferrography technique and then examined in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The shape of the particles was characterized by boundary fractal dimension, shape factor and convexity. The shape parameters obtained for particle populations were statistically compared using a Wilcoxon rank test. It has been found that subtle changes in the shape of the particle boundary occur during the wear process. Studying the changes in wear particle boundaries provides important information about the cause and progression of wear in synovial joints.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1997

Application of numerical descriptors to the characterization of wear particles obtained from joint replacements.

The application of image analysis techniques to the characterization of wear particles from failed joint replacements has been described. Wear particles were extracted from periprosthetic tissues collected during revision surgery. Chemical digestive methods were used to separate the wear particles from the biological soft material. The particles isolated were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Digitized particle images were analysed on a Macintosh computer by a specially developed software and by the image analysis program 'Prism'. The following numerical descriptors were used to characterize the particles: particle size, boundary fractal dimension and shape parameters such as form factor, roundness, convexity and aspect ratio. Elemental composition of the particles was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Three selected types of wear particles were analysed and compared: titanium (Ti)-based and calcium (Ca)-based particles from a hip prosthesis and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles from a knee prosthesis. The particles exhibited significantly different sizes and their shape numerical descriptors were also different. From the results obtained it appears that computer image analysis of wear particle morphology can be employed to determine the wear processes occurring in the joints. In some cases, the condition of the joint can also be assessed based on this analysis.

Fractals↗

PubMed1997

Joint load considerations in total knee replacement.

Estimates of knee joint loadings were calculated for 12 normal subjects from kinematic and kinetic measures obtained during both level and downhill walking. The maximum tibiofemoral compressive force reached an average load of 3.9 times body-weight (BW) for level walking and 8 times BW for downhill walking, in each instance during the early stance phase. Muscle forces contributed 80% of the maximum bone-on-bone force during downhill walking and 70% during level walking whereas the ground reaction forces contributed only 20% and 30% respectively. Most total knee designs provide a tibiofemoral contact area of 100 to 300 mm2. The yield point of these polyethylene inlays will therefore be exceeded with each step during downhill walking. Future evaluation of total knee designs should be based on a tibiofemoral joint load of 3.5 times BW at 20 degrees knee flexion, 8 times BW at 40 degrees and 6 times BW at 60 degrees.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Bioengineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Western Australia.

Although bioengineering is not formally taught in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Australia, undergraduate and postgraduate projects in this area are very popular among the students. Meetings of the research staff and students working in this area and in tribology in general are organized once a week where the research progress is reported and problems encountered are discussed. Very good collaboration has been established with the Royal Perth Hospital and the Departments of Anatomy and Pathology, University of Western Australia. The Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Australia, has been most helpful over the years in meeting financial needs. The Department has also received over the years some support from the West Australian Arthritic Research Foundation.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗