3D FEM model to simulate Brownian motion inside trabecular tissue from human femoral head

ABSTRACT

The assessment of spatio-temporal distribution of water within the cancellous bone structure remains a challenging issue. In the present study, a 3D finite element model of a trabecular region with pore morphology reconstructed from micro-CT scans is developed with the aim of evaluating the dynamics of water diffusion through bone tissue. The proposed model formulates diffusion from the perspective of water particles motion. Newton’s second law adapted to consider Brownian motion is used to describe particle dynamics in Lagrangian framework. The outcomes allow to investigate the temporal evolution of the water particle positions within the trabecular network. Knowledge concerning the water dynamics within the reconstructed morphology contributes to optimise the experimental setup of water uptake investigations on specific trabecular bone samples. The model could provide valuable information for the design of mimetic bone scaffolds with optimised fluid management properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Human trabecular tissue
• micro-CT scans
• Brownian motion
• particle tracing
• 3D finite element method

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fabiano Bini

Fabiano Bini received the M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome and Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Measurements from the University of Padua. Following Ph.D., he joined the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, where he was a Research Fellow, became an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor in Bioengineering. He acquired the basic laboratory and experimental skills in the field of Medical Measurements, Image Quality Control for medical devices and micro-mechanical testing of human trabecular bone tissue. His current research include 3D Diffusion model of nanostructured apatite/collagen porosity, 3D Finite element model of osteoarthritis in the Human Femur Head and 3D Tissue modelling for Surgical Planning. He chaired the Special Session ‘Novel Techniques in Medical Ultrasound’ at 2018 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications held in Rome. He was the recipient of grant FFABR, awards of the Italian of Ministry of Education, University and Research in recognition of his outstanding research activity in Bioengineering. Until now, he has co-authored 150 publications, 97 in peer-reviewed international scientific journals and international congress, 2 patent and 6 book chapters indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and Pubmed/Medline.

Andrada Pica

Andrada Pica received the Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Engineering from ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Italy in 2013 and the Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Italy in 2016. She is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. in Industrial and Management Engineering at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome. Her research theme concerns the development of 3D numerical and Finite Elements models of bone tissue at different length scales. A particular focus is attributed to the mechanical characterisation of bone nano - and micro- structure, in healthy and pathological conditions.

Simone Novelli

Simone Novelli is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome and a post-doctoral visiting reader at University College London, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health (ILDH). His work lies at medical images analysis, especially CT and MRI scans, 3D Printing of organs especially in the liver transplantation field, drug development studies in ACLF (acute on chronic liver failure), 3D Printing and Regenerative Medicine. He received a BA and MEng in Clinical and Biomedical Engineering from ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from ‘Sapienza’ University focused on medical extracorporeal devices (artificial liver) and 3D printing. He has co-authored several biomedical related papers and co-authored three books chapter on biomedical devices.

Raffaella Pecci

Raffaella Pecci received the degree in Biomedical Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rome La Sapienza. PhD in Materials Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Since 2004 researcher at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) in Rome, in the following areas of research and with the following scientific skills: a) Microtomographic analysis: acquisition, processing and three-dimensional reconstruction of biomaterials, bone structures of animals and humans, medical devices both for research purposes, in collaboration with Italian and international universities and with some ISS Departments, and to support institutional activities; b) Static and dynamic mechanical tests on: innovative implantable dental devices and materials, samples of toys and consumer products. Design of grips for carrying out biomechanical tests. She has carried out biomechanical studies on Bio-nanomaterials and implantable and non-implantable medical devices in the dental, orthopaedic and maxillofacial fields. She has produced about 120 publications both nationally and internationally and she has participated in numerous national and international conferences and courses. Lecturer for the teaching of Processing systems of Information and Electrical and Electronic Measurements in the Degree Course in Neurophysiopathology Techniques at the Sapienza University of Rome.

Rossella Bedini

Rossella Bedini receveid the degree in physics, since 1984 researcher in biomedical engineering at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome. She has carried out biomechanical studies on Bio-nanomaterials, implantable and non-implantable medical devices in the dental, orthopedic and maxillofacial fields. In the early 2000s he began to deal with 3D microtomographic analyzes of biomaterials, medical devices (such as scaffolds) and bone structures of animals and humans. For more than twenty years, he has carried out European certification activities as a product specialist in active implantable medical devices. For about 10 years, it has been carrying out training activities through the organization of conferences and courses in the field of materials and tissue regeneration methods in odontostomatology and orthopedics. In the last 5 years, it has been carrying out project evaluation activities on the authorization of animal testing of new materials, devices and methods in the health field. He has produced about 200 publications both nationally and internationally. She has participated in numerous national and international conferences and courses and has been responsible for several national projects. She is responsible for numerous research collaboration agreements between universities and national research bodies. She works as Editor for two international journals.

Andrea Marinozzi

Andrea Marinozzi is a researcher in the orthopaedic field since 04/10/2006 at the University ‘Campus Bio-Medico’ (UCBM) in Rome. He has been working since 2001 as Assistant Lecturer in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit at the UCBM. Between 1997 and 2003, he has worked as tutor in the Neuroscience integrated course. He has been giving lessons since the academic year 2003-2004 in the Rheumatology and Locomotor System Diseases integrated course at the UCBM. From the academic year 2005-2006, he gives lessons for a total of 25 hours for the Post-Graduation School in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the UCBM. He has achieved the research doctorate in ‘Sperimental Medicine and Endocrinology’ at the L’Aquila University. He has been co-operating with the Thermal and Mechanical Measurements Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome. Teacher in the School of Radiotherapy at the UCBM. Teacher of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Master of Science in food science and human nutrition at the UCBM from the academic year 2011-2012. Deals with prosthetic surgery and foot.

Franco Marinozzi

Franco Marinozzi received the M.Sc. degree in Electronic Engineering from the ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, thesis title ‘Design and realization of an apparatus for monitoring earth currents of the biomedical instrumentation for patient safety. Also he received Ph.D. in Mechanical Measurements about the design and realisation of a micro-tensile device for the characterisation of biological micro specimens. Full Professor of Biomedical Instrumentation at Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome. From 2011 to 2017 Chair of the Courses of Clinical and Biomedical Engineering of ‘Sapienza’ University where he teaches Biomedical Instrumentation 1 (BS Clinical Engineering) and Biomedical Instrumentation 2 (M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering). His scientific activity include development of protocols and devices for rehabilitation by virtual and immersive tools, development of in silico surgical training models from MRI and CT scans. 3D printing of surgical training models. Mechanical properties of bone micro specimens. Morphological study of cancellous bone architecture by means of micro CT scanner. Structural stiffness of cancellous bone by combined FE, micro CT and mechanical tests. Performance assessment of biomedical instrumentation. From 2018 he is part of the Technical Health Committee,Medical Devices Section,of the Italian Ministry of Health.