Biomedical subjects

M Viceconti

Publications and source records attributed to M Viceconti.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Bone remodelling adjacent to intramedullary stems: an optimal structures approach.

The internal parameters in bone remodelling theories often are not clearly related to the bony structure which results from the simulations in which they are implemented. For a restricted class of bone remodelling theories, we have previously found a connection between overall structural optimization and the parameters within a continuum-level remodelling rule. In this study, we assess whether a simplified analytical formula based on structural optimization can predict the behaviour of a large-scale finite element bone remodelling simulation. The analytical formula predicts when bone will remain around an intramedullary implant. The predictions of the formula are borne out in the numerical results. This leads to a physical interpretation of one of the two parameters in the remodelling rule used. The results also show some characteristics which are clinically relevant. This study extends earlier results due to Huiskes for internal remodelling around intramedullary implants by using a different, numerically stable remodelling algorithm based on optimization. The study also shows a direct practical application of the optimizing remodelling theory the authors have developed previously.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1995

Effects of some technological aspects on the fatigue strength of a cementless hip stem.

Four prototype cementless hip stems were tested following the ISO 7206 protocol for the assessment of the endurance properties and compared with a cast Cr-Co-Mo (ASTM F75) commercially available stem which was used as reference design. All the tested stems were similar in shape and size, but with some substantial differences. The first was made of forged Ti6A14V alloy (ASTM F136). The second, made of the same material, featured a central hole intended to reduce the bending stiffness of the stem itself. The third was identical to the second but for a small tooling notch in one of the fillets of the hole. The fourth was similar to the first but had a coating of sintered titanium beads in the proximal part. All of these modifications were made to evaluate the effect of fatigue strength of intentional or unintentional features commonly found in commercial stems. The forged Ti6A14V allow was found to be substantially stronger than the cast ASTM F75 Cr-Co-Mo alloy. However, tooling notches or sintered coatings were found to dramatically reduce this strength. Thus, the Ti6A14V alloy calls for an accurate design process, especially when complex shapes or sintered structures are required.

Alloys↗

PubMed1995

Influence of thigh muscles on the axial strains in a proximal femur during early stance in gait.

This work is focused on the in vitro simulation of the loads occurring in the femur during early stance in gait, for hip prosthesis stress shielding test purposes. Ten thigh muscles (the three gluteal muscles, the three vasti, rectus femoris, adductor longus and magnus, biceps femoris), simulated by nylon straps, were tested in order to establish their influence on the strains in the proximal femur. Axial and hoop strains were recorded from 16 strain gauges for the effect of each muscle and compared to the strains recorded as a result of the hip joint reaction force only (i.e. without muscle simulation). It appears that the three glutei are the principal muscles in determining the vertical strains, however the rectus femoris, biceps femoris and the adductors were also seen to significantly affect the strain pattern. The inadequacy of increasing the adduction angle and applying the resultant force at the hip joint to simulate the abductors was also confirmed.

Femur↗

PubMed1995

Initial stability of uncemented hip stems: an in-vitro protocol to measure torsional interface motion.

The difficulty in quantitatively assessing the inherent variables of surgical stem insertion and interfemur differences continues to be a problem in experimental methodologies which assess hip stem stability. An in-vitro torsional stability protocol was developed which limited the mechanical testing variability and provided a reproducible micromotion measurement of an uncemented stem in synthetic composite femurs. Using a controlled mechanical stem insertion resulted in less interfemur variability within each group with the coefficient of variation being reduced from 35% overall to less than 20%. Femurs with shallow stem insertion depths had significantly larger micromotion than femurs having deep stem insertion depths. The sensitivity of the experimental protocol and the synthetic composite femurs to the varied functional behaviour of three different stem designs was demonstrated. The stem with a hollowed anterior-to-posterior proximal section experienced significantly more motion than the two stems with full proximal sections, reinforcing the need for proximal contact to ensure minimal micromotion in torsional loading.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1994

Automatic fracture reduction with a computer-controlled external fixator.

The reduction of fractures by means of an Ilizarov's fixator is obtained by successively shortening or lengthening the rods. This entails that all reduction operations of the fracture stumps be performed with a series of empirical attempts, requiring great experience and manual dexterity in the surgeon. Moreover this process involves a long exposure of both physician and patient to potentially harmful radiation due to the continuous checking of the intermediate positions on the X-ray image intensifier. In order to overcome these limits a new device has been conceived, based on the application of three stepper-motors on three-rods. Its basic principle is functionally very similar to Ilizarov's prototype. The relative motions between the two frames are carried out by controlling the three actuators with a computer, which processes the number of required steps on the basis of an algorithm, starting from a few inputs supplied by the surgeon. This article illustrates the functional kinematic study necessary for the complete automation of the reduction process. Also considered is the complex problem of the reduction trajectory definition, intended as a sequence of configurations of partial correction, obtained by formalizing in geometrical terms the empirical criteria followed by the orthopaedic surgeon in reducing fractures. Such a sequence is intended to be a suggestion for the surgeon who can visualize and possibly interact with the system to determine a trajectory harmless for the soft tissues surrounding the bone.

External Fixators↗

PubMed1993

Digital dynamic range expansion applied to X-ray densitometric analysis of total hip replacement.

Due to the presence of the stiff prosthetic stem fitted in the medullary canal during total hip replacement, the surrounding cortex of the femur changes its density over time. This bone remodelling takes place with every type of total hip prosthesis; however, its intensity may vary between prostheses and patients. In the worst cases this process can lead to the late failure of the implant. To monitor such bone density evolution, we are developing a tailored Computer-aided Densitometric Image Analysis system (the major part of this our system uses an 8-bit commercial hardware with 256 levels of grey). The equivalent dynamic range of an X-ray picture is about 10 bits. In this paper we present a method to overcome these hardware limitations by improving the software. Using a double-exposure acquisition it is possible to build a 9-bit image that is good enough for most applications involving bone density measurement.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1993

A software simulation of tibial fracture reduction with external fixator.

In modern orthopaedic practice, circular external fixators are frequently preferred to plaster cast for various reasons. The realignment of the two fractured bone segments is usually performed under a continuous fluoroscopy checking which involves a long radiation exposure time for both patients and surgeon. In order to overcome this problem, a computer controlled external fixator is under development. One relevant problem which this project faced in its initial stage was the difficulty to define in geometrical terms the manual reduction trajectory normally adopted by the surgeon. Basically it was a typical problem of empirical knowledge transfer from the surgeon to the engineer. Thus, it was necessary to create a common ground where the two experts could carry out the necessary analyses in order to define an empirical algorithm capable of suggesting a correction trajectory. The problem was solved by developing a simulation program called S.E.R.F. (Simulation Environment of a Robotic Fixator) provided with an extremely powerful graphic output, able to visualize the whole reduction trajectory from any viewpoint in space. The authors suggest the use of this kind of tool every time the techno-clinical information exchange is a critical issue.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1990

A generalized procedure for predicting bone mass regulation by mechanical strain.

Understanding of the mechanisms that control the modifications of the bone weight-bearing attitude in response to external load conditions attracted considerable attention from researchers in the biological, medical, and radiological fields. This study presents a general approach for predicting the reaction of the bone tissue to cyclic loads with different intensity and temporal distribution. Empirical relationships are generated that incorporate the wealth of published experimental data, obtained from in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies, into an integrated analysis. The developed procedure was guided by and is in close agreement with the published experimental data. The approach provides a general framework for predicting the effect of mechanical strain deviation from the physiological strain environment only, without consideration of the influence of any other changes in the biochemical, physiological, or psychological mechanisms controlling bone growth and damage. Further clinical investigations with controlled exercise and systematic bone scanning are necessary to check the applicability of the coefficients generated in the proposed method for general use on human subjects.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic evaluation of HDPE cemented and cementless Lord and An.C.A. screwed acetabular models.

A total of 187 alumina screwed porous-ceramic coated sockets (An.C.A.), 48 screwed smooth-surfaced Lord sockets, and 251 cemented polyethylene sockets were radiographically evaluated at an average follow-up of 30, 51 and 96 months respectively. After 6 years the Lord prostheses revealed a 38% incidence of loosening, similar to that observed for cemented sockets 10-12 years after surgery. The An.C.A. prostheses revealed radiographic loosening equal to 12% (6 cases) in the first 50 implants, and only 0.7% in the remaining 137 cases: overall, the An.C.A. acetabular prosthesis revealed an index of radiographic loosening equal to 3.3% (7/187). To guarantee "osteointegration" of the porous coating of An.C.A. sockets optimal stability must be obtained when the prosthesis is screwed in. Because the mid-term follow-up for this clinical experience is relatively short (30 months), an opinion on the reliability of the screwed "porous" sockets must await confirmation.

Acetabulum↗