Bionic design of articular cartilage / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

Natural articular cartilage is well known as a special connective tissue with multiple effects and functions, which are important and irreplaceable, in human synovial joints. Biomedical, histological and pathological characteristics of articular cartilage, as well as biomaterial, biomechanical and bio-tribological properties thereof, are summarized from a novel aspect of bionics. Bionic design of articualr cartilage at macro-level and micro-level is carried out from three aspects, i.e., structure, material, and function; and a bionic design model of articular cartilage is set up. As a result, this basic research would be helpful to providing theoretical and practical basis for innovational design and manufacturing of new-style artificial joint with "soft-cushion bearing", and of bionic artificial cartilage.