Exploiting Viscoelastic Experimental Observations and Numerical Simulations to Infer Biomimetic Artificial Tendon Fiber Designs.

Nikolaos Karathanasopoulos,Jean-Francois Ganghoffer

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2019.00085

Nikolaos Karathanasopoulos, Jean-Francois Ganghoffer

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00085

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Abstract

Designing biomimetic artificial tendons requires a thorough, data-based understanding of the tendon's inner material properties. The current work exploits viscoelastic experimental observations at the tendon fascicle scale, making use of mechanical and data analysis methods. More specifically, based on reported elastic, volumetric and relaxation fascicle scale properties, we infer most probable, mechanically compatible material attributes at the fiber scale. In particular, the work provides pairs of elastic and viscous fiber-scale moduli, which can reproduce the upper scale tendon mechanics. The computed range of values for the fiber-scale tendon viscosity attest to the substantial stress relaxation capabilities of tendons. More importantly, the reported mechanical parameters constitute a basis for the design of tendon-specific restoration materials, such as fiber-based, engineering scaffolds.

Highlights

Tendons are natural fibrous tissues that transfer mechanical loads from the muscles to the bones. They are structured in a highly hierarchical manner (Maceri et al, 2012), consisting of a series of inner fibrillar scales that are immersed in a matrix substance (Shen, 2010; Zhang et al, 2014)
The tendon unit consists of fascicles, which are in turn composed of matrix-immersed fibers
Independent experimental studies provided moduli values of Ef = 1.17 ± 0.28 GPa for hydrated fiber tendon specimens (Gentleman et al, 2003), within the range reported by Kato et al (1989)

Summary

Introduction

Tendons are natural fibrous tissues that transfer mechanical loads from the muscles to the bones They are structured in a highly hierarchical manner (Maceri et al, 2012), consisting of a series of inner fibrillar scales that are immersed in a matrix substance (Shen, 2010; Zhang et al, 2014). The tendons’ inner fibrillar components are not parallel to the length evolution of the tendon On the contrary, they are structured in helical patterns (Orgel et al, 2006), forming an undulated inner structure; an observation reported in different microscopy based studies (Yahia and Drouin, 1989; de Campos Vidal, 2003).

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