Course code: wb2431

Course name: Bone mechanics and implants

This concerns a course

ECTS credit points: 3

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology

Section of Optimization of Structures

Lecturer(s): Linden, mw. J. van der, Valstar, dr.ir. E.R.

Tel.:  010-4089351 (Van der Linden)
         071-5262975 (Valstar)

Catalog data:

Course year:

MSc 1st year

Semester:

1B / 2A

Hours per week:

2

Other hours:

Assessment:

Written exam

Assessment period:

, ,

(see academic calendar)

Prerequisites (course codes):

Follow up (course codes):

Detailed description of topics:

Although everybody knows that bone can heal after it has been fractured, not many people realize that bone is actually living tissue. This living tissue is able to adapt its architecture to changes in external loads and to repair damage. Astronauts lose bone mass during spaceflight, as their skeleton adapts to the low gravity environment. Tennis players have stronger bones in their dominant arm and high resistance training, like weight-lifting, increases bone mass.

During this lecture series, a number of topics related to the skeleton, locomotion, bone biology and prostheses will be discussed. We will also look into the evolution of the skeleton, starting with the first occurrence of bone tissue in prehistoric fish. Although the sizes of bones differ between humans and other mammals, the global shape of the different bones is surprisingly similar. We will give an introduction to bone biology, examine the bone remodeling process and possible treatments of degenerative bone diseases. The changes in bone architecture and density resulting from changes in external loads and implantation of prostheses can be predicted using finite element modelling. We  will show how computer models of the biological system can be used to e.g. test new prostheses.

Fractures in elderly people, especially hip fractures, have a large effect on their quality of life. Therefore, it is important to try to prevent these fractures and to keep improving the treatment of fractures. Implantation of joint prostheses,  which partially or completely replace a diseased joint drastically reduces pain and restores the mobility of the joint. Although joint prostheses have been used since the 1960's, they are in no way perfect yet. However, yearly about 1 million total hip prostheses and 750.000 total knee prostheses are implanted worldwide. We will discuss the development of prostheses and the current state of the art in hip-, knee-, shoulder-, and elbow prostheses. Furthermore, several biomaterials will be examined, with their advantages and disadvantages.

Taken together, this lecture series will give an overview of the functioning of the human skeleton, its evolution, growth and degeneration and artificial prostheses which are frequently used when parts of the skeleton fail.

Course material:

References from literature:

• S.C. Cowin (Ed.), Bone Mechanics Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fl, 2001.
• R.B.Martin, D.B Burr, Skeletal Tissue Mechanics, Springer, New York
• Bucchorn and Willert, Technical Principles, Design and Safety of Joint Implants

Remarks assessment, entry requirements, etc.:

Learning goals:

1. describe the function and role of the main constituents of bone tissue and the organisation of these in lamellar, woven and plexiform bone

2. describe the bone remodeling process, its advantages and disadvantages, the effects of bone loading/unloading, bone growth aging and degeneration

3. describe the structure, function and anatomical location of fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints – with emphasis on the hip, the knee, and the shoulder joint, and the stability and flexibility of these joints

4. describe the effects of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis on the human body, understand different treatment options

5. explain the need for tissue engineering, describe the tissue engineering process in the laboratory and advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic tissue

6. explain fracture modes and explain the fracture healing process, to describe techniques and instruments – including their advantages and disadvantages – that can facilitate fracture healing

7. list the most commonly used orthopaedic biomaterials – metals, plastics, and ceramics – and their advantages and disadvantages with respect to mechanical properties and biocompatibility

8. describe the design process of prostheses, anatomical and surgical limitations, failure scenarios and measures for adequate revision, and, based on design features of existing prostheses, the student is able to explain design choices that have been made in the past and to suggest design improvements

9. explain the techniques used in pre-clinial testing, including their  advantages and disadvantages

10. describe clinical study set-ups: prospective, retrospective, randomised, non-randomised; clinical scoring systems, radiological assessment techniques, national registries and to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each aforementioned item

Computer use:

Some demonstrations

Laboratory project(s):

Design content:

25%

Percentage of design:  25%