Fluid load support during localized indentation of cartilage with a spherical probe.

ABSTRACT: Interstitial fluid pressurization, a consequence of a biphasic tissue structure, is essential to the load bearing and lubrication properties of articular cartilage. Focal tissue degradation may interfere with this protective mechanism, eventually leading to gross degeneration and osteoarthritis. Our long-term goal is to determine whether local contacts can be used as a means to probe local tissue integrity and functionality. In the present work, Hertzian rate-controlled microindentation was used as a model of the more complicated sliding system to directly determine the effects of contact radius and deformation rate on interstitial load support. During localized contact between a steel spherical probe and bovine articular cartilage, the equilibrium and non-equilibrium responses were well-f

SUBMITTER: Bonnevie ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3547676 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature