Joint Mechanical Engineering and ViSE Seminar, Cartilage Mechanics and Lubrication, Monday September 10, 134 FGH 3:10PM
Cartilage Mechanics and Lubrication
Gerard Ateshian, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Department Chair Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory
Columbia University, New York City, New York
Over the last two decades, considerable progress has been reported in the field of cartilage mechanics that impacts our understanding of the role of interstitial fluid pressurization on cartilage lubrication. In our laboratory, theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that the interstitial fluid of cartilage pressurizes considerably under loading, potentially supporting most of the applied load under various transient or steady-state conditions. Our experimental studies have demonstrated that the friction coefficient of cartilage correlates negatively with this interstitial fluid load support, achieving remarkably low values when the fluid load support is greatest. A theoretical framework that embodies this relationship has been validated against experiments, predicting and explaining various outcomes, and demonstrating that a low friction coefficient can be maintained for prolonged loading durations under normal physiological function. An interesting implication from these basic science studies is that the configuration of shoulder and hip hemiarthroplasties actually defeats interstitial fluid load support, potentially producing greater friction and war than normally expected in natural joints. Therefore, alternative strategies must be sought to restore normal friction and wear mechanisms in hemiarthroplasties.
BIO:
Gerard Ateshian is currently Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. He received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at Columbia in 1991. He is a fellow of ASME, AIMBE and BMES. His research interests are in orthopedic biomechanics, cartilage mechanics and lubrication, cartilage tissue engineering, cell mechanics and continuum theories of growth
Monday, September 10, 2012
3:10 p.m., 134 FGH
Refreshments at 2:40-3:00 p.m. outside 134 FGH