Mechanical Testing of Bone and the Bone-Implant Interface PDF

Preface

Biomechanics is an integral part of the study of bone as an organ or tissue. Mechanical testing of bone specimens is a basic method in bone-related research. The mechanical properties of whole bones or bone tissues and bone–implant interfaces are equally important as their morphological or structural aspects. The former is evaluated by mechanical testing and the latter is mostly studied using histological techniques.

This book is an outgrowth of the editors' own quest for information on mechanical testing of bone and, more importantly, a response to significant needs in the orthopaedic research community. Most researchers are not well trained in biomechanics and assistance from an expert is not always readily available. What many researchers really need to know are basic mechanical principles in bone-related research and most importantly how to conduct mechanical testing of bone specimens. This book is designed to be an experimental guide for orthopaedic or dental residents, bioengineering graduate students, orthopaedic or dental researchers, biomaterials scientists, laboratory technicians, and anyone not well trained in biomechanics who plans to conduct mechanical testing of bone specimens. Most readers belong to societies in the fields of orthopaedic or dental research, biomechanics, or biomaterials, such as the Orthopaedic Research Society, American Society of Biomechanics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Society for Biomaterials, or Materials Research Society. This text is intended to be a "beginner's" guide, and no prior training in biomechanics is required to understand the contents. It should also serve as a useful handbook for biomechanical and bioengineering researchers and students at all levels.

This is the first inclusive and organized reference book on how to perform mechanical testing of bone. The topic has not been adequately covered by any existing textbook on bone biomechanics. The 39 chapters of this book are divided into three major parts: Section I — mechanical properties of bone and general considerations and basic facilities for mechanical testing; Section II — specific mechanical testing procedures on bone tissues; and Section III — mechanical testing procedures on the bone–implant interface.

The book is designed to be concise as well as inclusive and more practical than theoretical. The text is simple and straightforward. Numerous diagrams (~150), tables (~150), line drawings (~150), and photographs (~150) are included to help readers better understand the main principles. Full bibliographies at the end of each chapter guide readers to more detailed information. A book of this length cannot discuss every method in biomechanical testing of bone that has been conducted over the years, but it is hoped that major methods and their applications have been included.