Biomedical subjects

T N Gardner

Publications and source records attributed to T N Gardner.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Dynamisation of tibial fractures.

We studied the effect of 'dynamisation' on tibial fractures in six patients treated by the Dynamic Axial Fixator. In the early stages, peak cyclic movement at two to four weeks averaged 0.75 mm (0.19 to 1.02) on the medial side of the bone and 0.86 mm (0.21 to 1.25) on the lateral side. The amount of movement correlated with the applied load and the fracture stiffness. After unlocking the fixator column at six weeks, progressive closure of the gap averaged 1.3 mm (0.1 to 3.5). Cyclic movement is produced by early weight-bearing with the fixator column locked. Progressive closure occurs after unlocking the column, and is often associated with a reduction in cyclic movements. The effects of dynamisation on movement at the fracture site should be defined separately, in terms of cyclic movement and of progressive closure.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

The use of strain energy as a convergence criterion in the finite element modelling of bone and the effect of model geometry on stress convergence.

Keyak and Skinner state that the adequacy of a finite element mesh may be verified by confirming that convergence of strain energy has been achieved. The paper concludes by stating that convergence of strain energy does not ensure that a particular mesh is adequate for producing accurate stress/strain results, and that only qualitative results can be achieved from 3D models of bone. This conclusion is challenged and the effect of element size on stress convergence is clarified. The influence of element size on stress convergence in regions of surface irregularity is studied and current methods are discussed that facilitate convergence.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1993

Induction of bone formation in rat tail vertebrae by mechanical loading.

We have developed an experimental model in which pins, inserted into the seventh and ninth caudal vertebrae of 13-week-old rats, are used to load the eighth caudal vertebra in compression. Four groups of animals were used in the study: unpinned; animals with pins inserted, but non-loaded; animals loaded once, for 360 cycles at 0.5 Hz; and animals subjected to daily loading for 36 cycles at 0.5 Hz. Pins were immobilised by clamps when not undergoing loading. The animals were killed 9 days after pinning, and the eighth caudal vertebra was subjected to histomorphometric and histodynamic analysis. We found that vertebrae subjected to 36 daily loading cycles showed a 30-fold increase in bone formation compared to non-loaded controls. A single loading regime of 360 cycles was sufficient to increase bone formation 4-fold. Bone formation on trabecular surfaces was of lamellar rather than woven bone and was accompanied by a decrease in indices of bone resorption. Loaded vertebrae also showed substantial periosteal woven bone formation, although a minor degree of periosteal woven bone formation was also seen in one non-loaded pinned control vertebra. Our results suggest that in the rat, as in avian species, short loading regimes are capable of inducing bone formation. The model may assist an analysis of the interactions between bone resorption, bone formation and mechanical stimuli, and may enable identification of the molecular signals that mediate induction of lamellar bone formation on trabecular surfaces.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Acoustic microscope study of the elastic properties of fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite, tooth enamel and bone.

Measurements of Rayleigh velocity and attenuation were taken in single mineral crystals of hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite at angular intervals relative to their c axes, using an acoustic microscope. These results are compared with the values that were calculated using the elastic constants of apatite from Yoon and Newnham [(1969) Am. Miner. 54, 1193-1197.] and Katz and Ukraincik [(1971) J. Biomechanics 4, 221-227.]. The slowness curves of various wave modes are plotted and discussed in relation to cross-coupling effects that were found to cause instability in measurements of attenuation for the c axes direction. Velocity measurements were taken in specimens of tooth enamel and bone. Here comparisons are made with the values that were calculated by modelling the 'z' scan response of the microscope, using published data for the elastic and acoustic properties. Comparisons are also made with the measurements on single crystals, since apatite is a major component of enamel and bone.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Force-displacement behaviour of biological tissue during distraction osteogenesis.

Limb lengthening and bone transport treatments are used frequently, and complications during treatment are common. Knowledge of the origin of tensile forces which resist distraction and the force-displacement response of biological tissues during extension would assist in reducing complication rates. Two tibial diaphyseal lengthenings carried out using an Ilizarov fixator were monitored by a displacement transducer to determine extension of the lengthening tissue (the regenerate bone), and by force transducers to determine tensile forces in the tissues that resist extension. The position of the force vector within a cross-section of the limb at the regenerate (provided by CT) was used to determine the origin of these forces. The muscle groups and adjacent fascia resisting extension were the gastrocnemius in one subject and the anterior and peroneal compartments in the other. In response to distraction, these tissues had relatively high stiffness (> 200 N/mm), less "immediate" displacement (< 35% of long term non-recoverable displacement) and inconsistent force relaxation properties (0-90%). In contrast, when the force vector was located in the vicinity of the regenerate, tissue exhibited lower stiffness (< 50 N/mm) and more immediate displacement (> 65% of long term nonrecoverable displacement), but also exhibited inconsistent force relaxation (0-67%).

Adaptation, Physiological↗