Lecture 2 - Biomechanics Overview

Question 1

Outline of biomechanics

Answer 1

1. Mechanics in non linear biological systems
   - No linear elastic tissues
   - No small deformation assumptions
   - Inhomogeneous deformation
   - Cannot assume absence of initial stress

Question 2

Applications of biomechanics

Answer 2

• Mimic normal function and properties
• Monitor disease progression and state e.g. tissue stiffness for breast cancer
• Inform treatment or surgical method
• Device/implant design
• Predict threshold of injury

Question 3

What is biomechanics?

Answer 3

• Concerned with the mechanics of biological systems including mechanical testing of tissues, kinematics/solid mechanics and fluid dynamics
• Biological function is related to structure e.g. mechanical forces can influence physiology, spinal cord injury due to functional loss while structure remains intact, bone as with greater force more bone is laid down

Question 4

Flow of biomechanical process

Answer 4

Natural biomechanics -> Impaired biomechanics through injury or disease -> How can we intervene? e.g. implants -> Check, did we restore natural biomechanics?

Question 5

History of biomechanics

Answer 5

• Aristotle, wrote the first book
• Da Vinci, studied anatomy in the context of mechanics
• Galileo provided foundation for Newton’s laws
• Descartes developed Cartesian coordinate system
• Borelli discovered forces required for equilibrium in joints
• Marey developed chronophotography which detects displacement

Question 6

Medical applications

Answer 6

Implant, orthotics, orthopaedics, orthodontics, rehabilitation, ergonomics, vascular biomechanics e.g. intracranial pressure, cardiovascular shit, ingestion for drug delivery systems

Question 7

Environmental conditions of interest

Answer 7

• Sample temperature
• Fluid condition e.g. pH, organic/inorganic
• Strain rate
• Tissue oxidation