Week 2: Biomechanics Overview

Question 1

What is biomechanics?

Answer 1

• Mechanics in non-linear biological systems.
• It’s concerned with the mechanics of biological systems
• It determines how biological function is related to structure

Question 2

What are some applications of biomechanics?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What are the components of a Motion capture Infrared Camera?

Answer 3

• 3 cameras: Each camera forms a plane of view. The intersection of the 3 planes results in the marker postiion
• Markers: Infrared markers.
• Position Sensor: detects the IR emission and forwards the info to the SCU
• Marker Strober: Activates markers
• SCU: System control unit receives the configuration parameters and sends the intstructions to the positions sensor and strober; processes the captured pixel data
• Host Computer: Allows the communication with optotracker.

Question 4

Give an example of low fluidic friction

Answer 4

• Emperor penguins preen their feathers to fill their plumage with air.
• They speed up and head for the surface, releasing air from their feathers. This coats their body with a thin layer of bubles and reduces drag caused by friction.
• muscles attached to a flexible membrane allow the penguins to change the position of their feathers, allowing air in and out.

Question 5

How do polyps form?

Answer 5

• Practices that are clinically associated with the formation of lesions such as nodules and polyps, including loud voicing and voice misuse are thought to increase mechanical stress levels in vocal fold tissue. The lesions are thought to be a reaction to these high stress levels.

Question 6

What is a tissue bioreactor?

Answer 6

• Bioreactors can be used to aid in the in vitro development of new tissue by providing biochemical and physical regulatory signals to cells and encouraging them to undergo differentiation and/or to produce extracellular matrix prior to in vivo implantation.