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Mechanical Characteristics (mechanical + characteristic)
Selected AbstractsMechanical characteristics of the bone,graft,cement interface after impaction allograftingJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Hanspeter Frei Impaction allografting is an attractive procedure for the treatment of failed total hip replacements. The graft,cement,host bone interface after impaction allografting has not been characterized, although it is a potential site of subsidence for this type of revision total hip reconstruction. In six human cadaveric femurs, the cancellous bone was removed proximally and local diaphyseal lytic defects were simulated. After the impaction grafting procedure, the specimens were sectioned in 6 mm transverse sections and pushout tests were performed. From the adjacent sections the percentage cement contact of the PMMA cement with the endosteal bone surface was determined. The host bone interface mechanical properties varied significantly along the femur largely due to different interface morphologies. The apparent host bone interface shear strength was highest around the lesser trochanter and lowest around the tip of the stem. A significant positive correlation was found between the percentage cement contact and the apparent host bone interface shear strength (r2 = 0.52). The sections failed in 69% of the cases through a pure host bone interface failure without cement or allograft failure, 19% failed with local cement failure, and 12% with a local allograft failure. The apparent host bone interface strength was on average 89% lower than values reported for primary total hip replacements and were similar to cemented revisions proximally and lower distally. This study showed that cement penetration to the endosteal surface enhanced the host bone,graft interface. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Separation of proteins in a multicompartment electrolyzer with chambers defined by a bed of gel beadsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 4 2003Marina Cretich Abstract Multicompartment electrolyzers (MEs) with isoelectric membranes were introduced in 1989 for purifying proteins in an electric field. At the basis of ME technology there are membranes consisting of cross-linked copolymers of acrylamide and acrylamido monomers bearing protolytic groups. The technology employed for casting the membranes is an extension of the isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradient technique for which specific acrylamido monomers, known with the trade name of Immobiline, have been developed. However, the use of continuous membranes presents several disadvantages. Due to the mechanical characteristics of polyacrylamide, the gel must physically adhere onto a rigid support, which prevents it from collapsing. The support must have a highly porous structure in order to be permeable to proteins. The mechanical fragility of the membranes is one of the main problems that hinders the industrial scale application of ME separators. In order to overcome this problem, we propose to substitute the continuous membranes with a bed of gel beads of identical comonomer composition, obtained by an inverse emulsion polymerization process. [source] A Micromechanical Study of the Deformation Behavior of TRIP-Assisted Multiphase Steels as a Function of the Microstructural Parameters of the Retained AusteniteADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Denny Tjahjanto The influence of austenitic volume fraction, carbon concentration, and grain size on the behavior of multiphase TRIP steels is investigated by means of micromechanical modeling and finite element simulations. The present analysis allows to directly attribute overall mechanical characteristics to the corresponding microstructural parameters, which is a difficult task to perform experimentally. [source] Nanometer-Scale Mapping of Elastic Modules in Biogenic Composites: The Nacre of Mollusk ShellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2010Haika Moshe-Drezner Abstract In this study, a newly developed nanoscale modulus mapping is applied in order to visualize the 2D-distribution of mechanical characteristics in the aragonitic nacre layer of Perna canaliculus (green mussel) shells. Modulus maps provide lateral resolution of about 10 nm. They allow the aragonitic mineral (CaCO3) tablets and the interfaces between them to be clearly resolved, which are filled by an organic substance (mainly beta-chitin). The experimental data are compared with finite element simulations that also take into account the tip radius of curvature and the thickness of organic layers, as measured by means of scanning electron microscopy with back-scattered electrons. Based on this comparison, the Young modulus of beta-chitin is extracted. The obtained number, E, = 40 GPa, is higher than previously evaluated. The collected maps reveal that the elastic modules in the nacre layer change gradually across the ceramic/organic interfaces within a spatial range four times wider than the thickness of the organic layers. This is possibly due to inhomogeneous distribution of organic macromolecules within ceramic tablets. According to the data, the concentration of macromolecules gradually increases when approaching the organic/ceramic interfaces. A behavior of this type is unique to biogenic materials and distinguishes them from synthetic composite materials. Finally, three possible mechanisms that attempt to explain why gradual changes of elastic modules significantly enhance the overall resistance to fracture of the nacre layer are briefly discussed. The experimental findings support the idea that individual ceramic tablets, comprising the nacre, are built of the compositionally and functionally graded ceramic material. This sheds additional light on the origin of the superior mechanical properties of biogenic composites. [source] Elasto-plastic analysis of block structures through a homogenization methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 3 2010G. de Felice Abstract The paper describes the development and numerical implementation of a constitutive relationship for modeling the elasto-plastic behavior of block structures with periodic texture, regarded at a macroscopic scale as homogenized anisotropic media. The macroscopic model is shown to retain memory of the mechanical characteristics of the joints and of the shape of the blocks. The overall mechanical properties display anisotropy and singularities in the yield surface, arising from the discrete nature of the block structure and the geometrical arrangement of the units. The model is formulated in the framework of multi-surface plasticity. It is implemented in an finite element (FE) code by means of two different algorithms: an implicit return mapping scheme and a minimization algorithm directly derived from the Haar,Karman principle. The model is validated against analytical and experimental results: the comparison between the homogenized continuum and the original block assembly shows a good agreement in terms of ultimate inelastic behavior, when the size of the block is small as compared with that of the whole assembly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of resin viscosity and vacuum level on mechanical performance of sandwich structures manufactured by vacuum baggingADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010A. Valenza Abstract The choice of process parameters is critical in optimizing the mechanical properties of sandwich structures produced using the vacuum bagging technique. The aim of this paper is to analyze how the viscosity of the resin/curing agent system and the vacuum level influence the morphology and the mechanical behavior of sandwich beams with composite faces (epoxy resin and glass fiber fabric named COMBI 900) and a PVC foam core. Four different sandwich structures were produced by varying the viscosity of the epoxy resin/curing agent at constant maximum vacuum pressure. Three further structures were manufactured by varying the strength of the vacuum with the resin viscosity maintained constant at the minimum level. Three point bending tests were carried out on all seven sandwiches. The analysis shows that although both parameters affect the mechanical characteristics of the structure, the viscosity of the resin system is clearly the more influential of the two. The morphological structure of the sandwiches was analyzed both by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and by muffle furnace ignition to calculate the percentage of fibers, matrices, and voids present in the different samples © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 29:20,30, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20172 [source] The influence of thermal treatment on the mechanical characteristics of a PLLA coiled stentJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Tré R. Welch Abstract We studied the effects of thermal treatment on the expansive characteristics of a coil-within-coil Poly(L -lactic acid) (PLLA) fiber stent developed at our institution to improve its mechanical performance and reproducibility. Following fabrication, furled stents were thermally treated at 62°C for 25 min. The mechanical characteristics were measured compared with those of untreated stents when both were expanded via sequential balloon catheter pressure loading up to 12 atm. Treated stents reached full diameter at 3 atm and maintained that diameter despite further pressure increases. Using measurements of pressure, diameter, and axial length, we calculated the sequential mechanical work required to unfurl the stent. The mechanical work for complete unfurling of treated stents was significantly less than that required for untreated controls. Little axial dimensional change was observed for treated stents. Treated stents exhibited higher stiffness than controls at all pressure levels and also demonstrated higher resistance to external pressure-induced collapse, as measured in a special apparatus developed in our laboratory. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated higher crystallinity values for fibers used in treated stents compared with controls. SEM examination of striations revealed that treated stents underwent less twist than controls following balloon-induced unfurling. The results indicate that, thermal treatment improves the reorientation and realignment of fiber crystalline structure, and favorably influences on the fiber stress-strain behavior and the expansive mechanical characteristics of the PLLA fiber stents. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009 [source] An experimental analogue to model the fibrous tissue layer in cemented hip replacementsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004Victor Waide Abstract Fibrous tissue at the bone,cement interface of cemented joint replacements has been reported frequently in cases of revisions made necessary by aseptic loosening. This work describes the development of in vitro specimens suitable for biomechanical modeling of cemented femoral hip replacements with a fibrous tissue layer at the bone,cement interface. In particular, a series of uniaxial compression tests were performed on silicone elastomer specimens to identify a suitable analogue with similar mechanical characteristics to those reported for the fibrous tissue layer. A method was developed to apply the silicone elastomer at the bone,cement interface. This was examined for two types of cemented hip replacements implanted in composite femurs. The selected thickness of the elastomer layers was in the range of those found in clinical cases of aseptic loosening. Specimens produced by these methods could be used in preclinical biomechanical tests (such as stability or stress shielding tests) to assess the effects of a soft-tissue layer, to model in vitro a long-term-implant scenario, and to provide validation for similar finite element studies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 232,240, 2004 [source] Influence of cosolvents and in situ forming hydroxyapatite on the mechanical characteristics of collagen filmsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Hsiu-O Ho Abstract Collagen was processed into films in mixtures containing various ratios of water, propylene glycol, and ethanol. An experimental mixture design was applied to characterize the effects of individual solvents and their interactions on the mechanical properties of collagen films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface properties of collagen films. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and related characteristics of collagen films were also evaluated with dynamic mechanical analysis. The effect of in situ forming hydroxyapatite (HAP) within collagen films at a concentration of 10 mM on the physical characteristics of these films was evaluated by the same methods. With X-ray and SEM examinations, it was confirmed that HAP was formed inside the collagen film. However, the UTS of collagen films without HAP was 4,5 times higher than that with HAP. This was probably due to the discontinuity of the film structure caused by HAP in the collagen films. The results of a statistical analysis of the experimental design revealed the influence of the solvent mixtures on the mechanical properties of the collagen films with and without HAP, showing similar responses for the UTS and modulus of elasticity. Both parameters showed a maximal response in the solvent range containing a lower percentage of ethanol with the desired percentage of propylene glycol to plasticize the collagen films. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 22,29, 2002 [source] Catheter-Based Transendocardial Myocardial Gene TransferJOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002CHRISTER SYLVÉNM.D. Ph.D. Background and Aim: Local modulation of myocardial function by gene transfer or cell depositions constitutes a potential method of cardiac treatment. This study tested the morphology of myocardial plasmid gene transfer by catheter-based transendocardial injection (NOGA). Methods: Left ventricular morphology and electrical and mechanical characteristics were mapped in three dimensions. In two pigs, 0.10 mL oftoluidine blue was injected at ten sites. In seven pigs, seven to ten injections of 0.10 mL saline containing 0.10 mg pCMV-LacZ expressing the enzyme ,-galactosidase and 0.10 mg phVEGF-A165 were given. The pigs were sacrificed after 3 days and gene expression was determined. Results: Macroscopically on the endocardial surface, all identified spots were located in the target area. However, along the transmyocardial axis, injections with color and plasmid were located randomly throughout the left ventricular wall from the endocardium to the epicardium. In each detected spot, gene expression of ,-galactosidase was observed in an approximate myocardial volume of 5 × 5 × 5 mm. Microscopically, the transfected cells were located typically at the tip of the injection scar. As a rule, 10 to 20 transfected cells were located at the end of the injection scar. In sections where expression of both transcripts was observed, 42% of the cells expressed both ,-galactosidase and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), 32% only ,-galactosidase, and 26% only VEGF. Conclusions: Myocardial gene transfer following magnetic guidance can be located precisely on the left ventricular inner surface. Within the myocardium, gene expression is local around the distal tip of the injection scar and is located randomly at every level of depth of the left ventricular wall. [source] Temporal effects of cell adhesion on mechanical characteristics of the single chondrocyteJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Wei Huang Abstract Cell adhesion to material surfaces is a fundamental phenomenon in tissue response to implanted devices, and an important consideration in tissue engineering. For example, elucidation of phenomena associated with adhesion of chondrocytes to biomaterials is critical in addressing the difficult problem of articular cartilage regeneration. The first objective of this study was to measure the mechanical adhesiveness characteristics of individual rabbit articular chondrocytes as a function of seeding time to provide further understanding of the cell adhesion process. The second objective was to quantify the force required to separate the plasma membrane from the underlying cytoskeleton as a function of seeding time. After culturing chondrocytes on glass coverslips for 1, 2, 4, 6 h, two biomechanical tests were performed on single chondrocytes: (i) mechanical adhesiveness measurement by the cytodetacher; and (ii) plasma membrane tether formation force measurement by optical tweezers. Cell mechanical adhesiveness increased from 231 ± 149 Pa at 1 h to 1085 ± 211 Pa at 6 h. The cell contact area with the substrata increased from 161 ± 52 ,m2 at 1 h to 369 ± 105 ,m2 at 6 h. The tether formation force increased from 232 ± 23 pN at 1 h to 591 ± 17 pN at 6 h. Moreover, fluorescence staining by rhodamine-phalloidin demonstrated the process of actin spreading within the cytoskeleton from 0.5 to 6 h and allowed for measurement of cell height which was found to decrease from 12.3 ± 2.9 ,m at 0.5 h to 6.2 ± 0.9 ,m at 6 h. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Introduction of pH-sensitivity into mechanically strong nanoclay composite hydrogels based on N -isopropylacrylamideJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 19 2008Siddharthya K. Mujumdar Abstract pH-sensitive nanoclay composite hydrogels based on N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) were synthesized by copolymerization with cationic and anionic comonomers. Laponite nanoclay particles served as multifunctional crosslinkers, producing hydrogels with exceptionally high mechanical strengths, as measured by elongation at break. Cationic copolymer gels based on NIPA and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate were prepared by aqueous free radical polymerization, adopting a procedure reported by Haraguchi (Adv Mater 2002, 14, 1120,1124). Without modification, this technique failed to produce anionic copolymer gels of NIPA and methacrylic acid (MAA), due to flocculation of clay particles. Three methods were conceived to incorporate acidic MAA into nanoclay hydrogels. First, NIPA was copolymerized with sodium methacrylate under dilute conditions, producing hydrogels with good pH-sensitivity but weak mechanical characteristics. Second, NIPA was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate, which was then hydrolyzed to generate acid sidegroups, yielding hydrogels that were much stronger but less pH sensitive. Third, NIPA was copolymerized with MAA following modification of the nanoclay surface with pyrophosphate ions. The resulting hydrogels exhibited both strong pH-sensitivities at 37 °C and excellent tensile properties. Optical transparency changed during polymerization, depending on hydrophobicity of the components. This work increases the diversity and functionality of nanoclay hydrogels, which display certain mechanical advantages over conventionally crosslinked hydrogels. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6630,6640, 2008 [source] Modifications of mechanical characteristics and phenolic composition in berry skins and seeds of Mondeuse winegrapes throughout the on-vine drying process,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 11 2009Luca Rolle Abstract BACKGROUND: Among several common drying systems used in the enological sector the dry-on-vine (DOV) method assumes particular importance because famous wines such as Sauternes, Tokay and Ice Wines are produced by grapes dried using this system. Knowledge about trends in mechanical properties and phenolic composition during on-vine grape drying is scarce. The objective of this current study is therefore to increase the knowledge on these aspects. RESULTS: Berry skin break energy (+0.10 N) and berry skin thickness (+69 µm) values increase during grape dehydration, while the peduncle detach force decreases (,0.86 N). Large reductions in the anthocyanin content have also been observed (,40%), but their profile does not show significant changes. Seed hardness (,7.10 N, ,1.40 mJ) decreases during the withering, and higher seed springiness has been observed. Seed proanthocyanidins (+2050 mg kg berry,1) and flavanols vanillin assay (+670 mg kg berry,1) increase progressively throughout the withering. In contrast, a distinct lowering of these substances in the skins was noted. CONCLUSION: Many modifications in the chemical,physical characteristics of berries of Mondeuse winegrapes throughout the DOV process were found. The mechanical characteristics of grapes, in particular the peduncle detachment force, are important parameters in assessing their suitability for the drying-on-plant process. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Structure and conditioning effect on mechanical behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)/calcium lactate biocompositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 8 2009Vladimír Sedlarik The structural and mechanical characteristics of polymeric biocomposites based on calcium lactate (CL) and either partially (88 mol%) or fully (98 mol%) hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were studied using optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy equipped with attenuated total reflectance accessory, water content determination, and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the moisture absorption effect on the mechanical properties of the biocomposites was tested in this work. The results reveal that CL is a suitable modifier for both types of PVA. However, a more efficient enhancement of uniform shape and size distribution of CL particles within the PVA matrix was noticed in fully hydrolyzed matrix at low water contents. It is in agreement with glass transition temperature's observations. The samples conditioned at 50% of relative humidity (RH) showed decrease in E modulus and tensile strength in comparison with the material stored below 20% RH. Nevertheless, the enhancement of tensile properties, because of the modification with CL, was still noticeable especially for the partially hydrolyzed PVA-based biocomposites. The optimum concentration of the modifier was estimated on the basis of the obtained results. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Polydimethylsiloxane,cristobalite composite adhesive system for aerospace applicationsPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 5 2009Seema Ansari Abstract The effect of phase-pure cristobalite (a high temperature crystalline polymorph of silica) on the adhesive characteristics of hydroxyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was studied. The potential advantages of PDMS/cristobalite composite system as an adhesive for aerospace applications are also discussed. A PDMS/cristobalite composite adhesive system containing different filler contents (0,46 volume percentage, vol%) was prepared. The filler material, phase-pure cristobalite, was synthesized by the pyrolysis of fused silica at 1400°C. The mechanical, rheological, and thermal characteristics of the composites were studied. A high yield stress (0.151,Pa), shear-thinning index (1.051), and fast recovery rate were observed for ,34,vol% cristobalite loading, which indicate that PDMS retains its excellent adhesive and flow characteristics even at high filler loading with enhanced mechanical characteristics. Thermal analysis shows the onset of degradation of PDMS shifts to higher temperatures, 372,438°C and 317,417°C in nitrogen and air atmosphere respectively, which shows excellent thermal stability. The residual component yields after thermal degradation of PDMS/cristobalite composite system in nitrogen and air atmosphere show different degradation mechanisms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Contributions of Mouse Genetic Background and Age on Anterior Lens Capsule ThicknessTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Brian P. Danysh Abstract Accurate lens capsule thickness measurements are necessary for studies investigating mechanical characteristics of the capsule. Confocal Z -axis imaging was used to measure the anterior lens capsule thickness of living intact lenses with minimal tissue manipulation. Measurements of the anterior capsule thickness is reported for the first time in young and old mice from four inbred strains, BALB/c, FVB/N, C57BL/6, and 129X1, and the outbred strain ICR. Our data demonstrates that the mouse anterior lens capsule continues to grow postnatally similar to that described in other mammals. It is also shown there is a significant difference in anterior lens capsule thickness between unrelated mouse strains, suggesting that capsule thickness is a quantitative trait shared by strains with common ancestry. Measurements, taken from other regions of FVB/N capsules revealed the anterior pole to be the thickest, followed by the equatorial region and posterior pole. In addition to mouse, anterior capsule measurements taken from intact cattle, rabbit, rat lenses, and human capsulotomy specimens correlated with the overall size of the animal. Anat Rec, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Improving the mechanical characteristics of faecal waste in rainbow trout: the influence of fish size and treatment with a non-starch polysaccharide (guar gum)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2009A. BRINKER Abstract This study (3 × 2 randomized factorial design) describes differences in the mechanical properties of faeces from rainbow trout of three size classes (small ,40 g, mid-size ,150 g, large ,650 g) and assesses the effects of a non-starch polysaccharide binder (guar gum). Observations made at the macroscopic level were reinforced by rheological measurements of viscosity and elastic modulus. Mid-sized fish excreted mechanically the most stable faeces, roughly twice as stable as those of small fish and three times more stable than faeces from large fish. The addition of 3 g kg,1 of guar gum saw some mechanical characteristics improve by about 700%. Faeces from large- and mid-sized fish were more easily stabilized than those of small fish. Mechanical recovery potential for faecal samples disrupted by water turbulence was determined. Stability differences observed for different fish size had no significant effect but the improvements imparted by guar gum reduced postfiltration effluent load to about 35% for large fish, about 24% for mid-size and about 22% for small fish. Faecal leaching decreased significantly with increasing stability. Guar gum was shown to have significant potential for improving the treatability of fish faecal waste. [source] The Characterization of Contractile and Myoelectric Activities in Paralyzed Tibialis Anterior Post Electrically Elicited Muscle FatigueARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 4 2010Nan-Ying Yu Abstract This study aimed to understand the myoelectric and mechanical characteristics of muscle recovering from electrically elicited fatigue. A modified Burke fatigue protocol was delivered to activate the tibialis anterior of 13 spinal cord injured subjects for 4 min. Before and after the fatigue protocol, a series of pulse trains was delivered to induce three twitches and a fused contraction at 0, 1, 3, and 5 min and then followed every 5 min for 60 min. The recovery processes of the ankle dorsiflexion torque and the evoked electromyography (EMG) parameters were analyzed and characterized by a first-order exponential equation. The recovery process was found to be faster in regard to tetanic muscle contraction. Factors relating to low-frequency fatigue, postfatigue potentiation, and the quickly normalized relaxation rate were taken into account for the discussion of this result. During the recovery process, the disassociation was found not only between twitch and tetanic contractions but also between mechanical and myoelectric activities. After the complete normalization of EMG parameters from about 15 min post fatigue, the tetanic force recovered incompletely to an asymptotic level. [source] 2355: Biomechanical analysis of the pressure-volume relationship in a statically loaded human eyeACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010AA STEIN Purpose To develop an approach for estimating the mechanical characteristics of the individual eye in the ophthalmologic procedures based on static load application (tonometry, et al.). Methods The fibrous coat is mathematically modeled as a soft elastic shell (cornea) connected with an elastic system that mainly consists of the sclera and is characterized by a single elastic constant describing its response to the intraocular pressure. A function representing the intraocular volume as a function of two variables, the intraocular pressure and the load applied, called the volume function is introduced. This function is then specified on the basis of a simple model characterized by two elastic constants in the case of an applanating load. Results A general method of estimating the integral elastic behavior of the individual eye is developed and specific relationships between elastic constants important in different loading processes are obtained. Conclusion The method developed makes it possible to reliably estimate the integral elastic behavior of the fibrous coat and, as a result, to obtain more correct data on the intraocular pressure and other mechanical characteristics. Although in different loading processes (for example, in tonometry and inflating the eye by a liquid volume) different integral elastic contacts are involved, the model proposed provides a means for obtaining efficient approximate relationships between these constants. [source] Biomechanical models for clinical data analysis of pressure-volume relationship in the human eyeACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009S BAUER Purpose To develop mechanical models describing the pressure-volume relationship for the human eye and to compare the results obtained with clinical data in order to find out which mechanical characteristics affect this relationship most significantly. Methods The fibrous coat is treated as a connected elastic shell consisting of two spherical segments with different radii and mechanical characteristics. The dependence of the intraocular pressure on the volume is analyzed using three different models in which the sclera and the cornea are modeled (1) by soft shells; (2) by transversally isotropic shells with small tension modules in the transverse direction; and (3) by 3D elastic solids. The models are studied analytically and numerically, the latter using FEM ANSYS software. Results The results are obtained over a wide range of parameters using all three models. Conclusion The models proposed predict a generally nonlinear relationship between the intraocular pressure and volume. The parameters of both the sclera and the cornea affect this relationship, the role of the sclera being more important. In the first approximation the simple soft shell model is in good agreement with the clinical data. [source] The crystalline lens higher fatty acids influence on the lens physical characteristicsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009Y KUDRYAVTSEVA Purpose To study influence lipids of a crystalline lens on its physical characteristics. Methods 114 patients at the age from 55 till 78 years, with a cataract of various degree of a maturity are selected. Researches of a lens nucleus in vitro included: definition of mechanical hardness on the original device for research of mechanical hardness of a crystalline lens, research of composition of the higher fatty acids on the gas-liquid chromatograph. Results Influence of the higher fatty acids composition on mechanical hardness of a lens nucleus is revealed. Strong direct dependence between polyunsaturated fatty acids contents and hardness of a crystalline lens is found out. The correlation factor is equal 0.7 (? <0.05). Pentadecanic and stearic acids - the saturated fat acids have average correlation with hardness of lens - the correlation factor is accordingly equal -0.6 (? <0.05) and -0.6 (? <0.05), in spite of low contents in the lens. The palmitic acid contains in the cataract lens in concentration comparable to level polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, essential correlation with hardness has no - the correlation factor is equal 0.21 (p >0.05). The oleic, linolic and linolenic acids are contained in the cataract lens in low concentration and have average (v and linolic acids) - the correlation factor is accordingly equal -0.5 (? <0.05) and -0.57 (? <0.05) and weak correlation (linolenic acid) with hardness of a crystalline lens - the correlation factor is equal -0.22 (p> 0.05). Conclusion The polyunsaturated higher fatty acids which are a basis of membranes of a crystalline lens have the maximal influence on mechanical characteristics of the lens. [source] Hardness of a crystalline lens and accommodationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009A CHUPROV Purpose to estimate influence of mechanical characteristics of a crystalline lens on accommodation possibility Methods At 56 patients with a various condition of a crystalline lens we defined amplitude of accommodation by a method of finding of the nearest and far points. Mechanical properties of a crystalline lens defined by the original ultrasonic method. At the heart of a method, use of the information which formed at distribution of a mechanical wave in non-uniform environments. Results We revealed the strong inverse negative relationship between volume of accommodation and hardness of a crystalline lens nucleus - the factor of correlation was equal -0,63 (? <0,01). Conclusion One of the reasons of the accommodation worsening is the increase of a crystalline lens mechanical hardness [source] | |||||||||||||||||||