Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL ... This study was supported by the University of Miami; Support for student travel.
EFFECT OF ANISOTROPY, COMPRESSIVE STRAIN, AND TISSUE REGION ON ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN PORCINE MENISCUS Kleinhans KL; McMahan JB; Jackson AR Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
INTRODUCTION •
Electrical conductivity is a tissue property which depends on ion concentrations and diffusivities in the tissue, which are functions of both tissue composition and structure
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Previous studies have found linear correlation between water content and electrical conductivity in cartilaginous tissues1-4
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Meniscal degeneration associated with osteoarthritis (OA)
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Information regarding electromechanical and ion transport properties essential for understanding tissue degeneration and causes of OA
HYPOTHESIS & OBJECTIVES Long Term Goals
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RESULTS
To quantify electromechanical and transport properties in meniscus tissue (i.e., conductivity, diffusion, etc.) To better understand the pathophysiology of meniscal degeneration and related OA in the knee
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Overall Hypothesis
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Electrical conductivity is dependent on tissue water volume fraction and is anisotropic and strain-dependent in meniscus fibrocartilage
Study Objectives
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To determine the anisotropic, strain-dependent, and region-specific electrical conductivity in porcine meniscus tissue and correlate the results with the tissue water volume fraction