Quantifying the immediate post-implantation strain field of cadaveric tibiae implanted with cementless tibial trays: A time-elapsed micro-CT and digital volume correlation analysis during stair descent.

Primary stability, the mechanical fixation between implant and bone prior to osseointegration, is crucial for the long-term success of cementless tibial trays. However, little is known about the mechanical interplay between the implant and bone internally, as experimental studies quantifying internal strain are limited. This study employed digital volume correlation (DVC) to quantify the immediate post-implantation strain field of five cadaveric tibiae implanted with a commercially available cementless titanium tibial tray (Attune, DePuy Synthes). The tibiae were subjected to a five-step loading sequence (0-2.5 bodyweight, BW) replicating stair descent, with concomitant time-elapsed micro-CT imaging. With progressive loads, increased compression of trabecular bone was quantified, with the highest strains directly under the posterior region of the tibial tray implant, dissipating with increasing distance from the bone-implant interface. After load removal of the last load step (2.5BW), residual strains were observed in all of the five tibiae, with residual strains confined within 3.14 mm from the bone-implant interface. The residual strain is reflective of the observed initial migration of cementless tibial trays reported in clinical studies. The presence of strains above the yield strain of bone accepted in literature suggests that inelastic properties should be included within finite element models of the initial mechanical environment. This study provides a means to experimentally quantify the internal strain distribution of human tibia with cementless trays, increasing the understanding of the mechanical interaction between bone and implant.

Assessment of the primary stability of revision tibial trays augmented with a cementless sleeve in AORI Type III defects.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have evaluated the initial stability of uncemented tibial components in revision total knee replacement (rTKR) in the presence of an Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) Type II tibial defect. This study sought to evaluate similar metrics in the severe Type III (AORI TIII) defects with combined uncemented stem and sleeve fixation, specifically, the effect of varying the stem's length and tibial canal engagement upon stability and bone strain. METHOD: Finite element models generated from the CT scans of 4 tibias with Type III defects were used to investigate the primary stability, in terms of the bone-implant composite peak micromotion (CPM) and microstrains (CPS), achieved after virtual implantations with and without stems. RESULTS: A stemless rTKR had increased metaphyseal CPM and CPS compared to all stemmed implants. Significant area of the bone supporting the stemless rTKR had CPS greater than bone yield (7000 µÎµ). Short engaging stems (≤150 mm construct length), could not achieve reliable engagement in the diaphysis (canal fill ≤ 50%), leading to insufficient reduction of CPS (≥5000 µÎµ). Longer engaging stems (170-220 mm construct length), were able to reliably engage the diaphysis (fill ratio ≥ 75%) resulting in CPS ≤ 5000 µÎµ. Although, non-engaging stems resulted in increased CPM and CPS compared to engaging stems, long non-engaging stems (170-220 mm construct) appeared to provide additional stability to the rTKR compared to stemless rTKR. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a likely correlation between uncemented stem engagement and metaphyseal CPS in Type III defects. Excessive strain within the supporting metaphyseal bone is likely to lead to rTKR migration and loosening.

Influence of stems and metaphyseal sleeve on primary stability of cementless revision tibial trays used to reconstruct AORI IIB defects.

Metaphyseal augments, such as sleeves, have been introduced to augment the fixation of revision total knee replacement (rTKR) components, and can be used with or without a stem. The effect of sleeve size in combination with stems on the primary stability and load transfer of a rTKR implant in AORI type IIB defects where the defect involves both condyles are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the primary stability of revision tibial tray augmented with a sleeve in an AORI type IIB defect which involves both condyles with loss of cortical and cancellous bone. Finite element models were generated from computed tomography (CT) scans of nine individuals. All the bones used in the study had an AORI type IIB defect. The cohort included eight females (mean weight: 64 kg, height: 1.6 m). Material properties were sampled from CT data and assigned to the FE model. Joint contact forces for level gait, stair descent, and squat were applied. Stemless sleeved implants under various loading conditions were shown to have adequate primary stability in all AORI type IIB defects investigated. Adding a stem only marginally improved the primary stability of the implant but reduced the strain in the metaphysis compared to stemless implants. Once good initial mechanical stability was established with a sleeve, there was no benefit, in terms of primary stability or bone strains, from increasing sleeve size. This study suggests that metaphyseal sleeves, without a stem, can provide the required primary stability required by a rTKR tibial implant, to reconstruct an AORI type IIB defect. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.

Influence of varying stem and metaphyseal sleeve size on the primary stability of cementless revision tibial trays used to reconstruct AORI IIA defects. A simulation study.

Traditionally, diaphyseal stems have been utilized to augment the stability of revision total knee replacement (rTKR) implants. More recently metaphyseal augments, such as sleeves, have been introduced to further augment component fixation. The effect of augments such as stems and sleeves have on the primary stability of a rTKR implant is poorly understood, however it has important implications on the complexity, costs and survivorship of the procedure. Finite element analysis was used to investigate the primary stability and strain distribution of various size stems and sleeves used in conjunction with a cementless revision tibial tray. The model was built from computer tomography images of a single healthy tibia obtained from an 81-year-old patient to which an Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) IIA defect was virtually added. The influences of varying body mass index (BMI) and bone modulus were also investigated. Stemless sleeves were found to provided adequate primary implant stability (average implant micro-motion <50 µm) for the studied defect. Addition of a stem did not enhance the primary stability. Furthermore, this study found that varying BMI and bone modulus had a considerable effect on strain distribution but negligible effect on micro-motion in the sleeve area. In conclusion, the addition of diaphyseal stem to a metaphyseal sleeve had little benefit in enhancing the primary stability of tibial trays augmented when simulating reconstructions of AORI IIA tibial defects. Additional studies are required to determine the relative benefit of the diaphyseal stem when using metaphyseal sleeves defects with more extensive bone loss. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1876-1886, 2018.

High-resolution mucociliary transport measurement in live excised large animal trachea using synchrotron X-ray imaging.

BACKGROUND: The Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) was designed as the world's widest synchrotron X-ray beam, enabling both clinical imaging and therapeutic applications for humans as well as the imaging of large animal models. Our group is developing methods for imaging the airways of newly developed CF animal models that display human-like lung disease, such as the CF pig, and we expect that the IMBL can be utilised to image airways in animals of this size. METHODS: This study utilised samples of excised tracheal tissue to assess the feasibility, logistics and protocols required for airway imaging in large animal models such as pigs and sheep at the IMBL. We designed an image processing algorithm to automatically track and quantify the tracheal mucociliary transport (MCT) behaviour of 103 µm diameter high refractive index (HRI) glass bead marker particles deposited onto the surface of freshly-excised normal sheep and pig tracheae, and assessed the effects of airway rehydrating aerosols. RESULTS: We successfully accessed and used scavenged tracheal tissue, identified the minimum bead size that is visible using our chosen imaging setup, verified that MCT could be visualised, and that our automated tracking algorithm could quantify particle motion. The imaging sequences show particles propelled by cilia, against gravity, up the airway surface, within a well-defined range of clearance speeds and with examples of 'clumping' behaviour that is consistent with the in vivo capture and mucus-driven transport of particles. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the wide beam at the IMBL is suitable for imaging MCT in ex vivo tissue samples. We are now transitioning to in vivo imaging of MCT in live pigs, utilising higher X-ray energies and shorter exposures to minimise motion blur.

Impaired mucus detachment disrupts mucociliary transport in a piglet model of cystic fibrosis.

Lung disease in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is initiated by defective host defense that predisposes airways to bacterial infection. Advanced CF is characterized by a deficit in mucociliary transport (MCT), a process that traps and propels bacteria out of the lungs, but whether this deficit occurs first or is secondary to airway remodeling has been unclear. To assess MCT, we tracked movement of radiodense microdisks in airways of newborn piglets with CF. Cholinergic stimulation, which elicits mucus secretion, substantially reduced microdisk movement. Impaired MCT was not due to periciliary liquid depletion; rather, CF submucosal glands secreted mucus strands that remained tethered to gland ducts. Inhibiting anion secretion in non-CF airways replicated CF abnormalities. Thus, impaired MCT is a primary defect in CF, suggesting that submucosal glands and tethered mucus may be targets for early CF treatment.

Assessing mucociliary transport of single particles in vivo shows variable speed and preference for the ventral trachea in newborn pigs.

Mucociliary transport (MCT) is an innate defense mechanism that removes particulates, noxious material, and microorganisms from the lung. Several airway diseases exhibit abnormal MCT, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis. However, it remains uncertain whether MCT abnormalities contribute to the genesis of disease or whether they are secondary manifestations that may fuel disease progression. Limitations of current MCT assays and of current animal models of human disease have hindered progress in addressing these questions. Therefore, we developed an in vivo assay of MCT, and here we describe its use in newborn wild-type pigs. We studied pigs because they share many physiological, biochemical, and anatomical features with humans and can model several human diseases. We used X-ray multidetector-row-computed tomography to track movement of individual particles in the large airways of newborn pigs. Multidetector-row-computed tomography imaging provided high spatial and temporal resolution and registration of particle position to airway anatomy. We discovered that cilia orientation directs particles to the ventral tracheal surface. We also observed substantial heterogeneity in the rate of individual particle movement, and we speculate that variations in mucus properties may be responsible. The increased granularity of MCT data provided by this assay may provide an opportunity to better understand host defense mechanisms and the pathogenesis of airway disease.

Early airway structural changes in cystic fibrosis pigs as a determinant of particle distribution and deposition.

The pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease is not well understood. A porcine CF model was recently generated, and these animals develop lung disease similar to humans with CF. At birth, before infection and inflammation, CF pigs have airways that are irregularly shaped and have a reduced caliber compared to non-CF pigs. We hypothesized that these airway structural abnormalities affect airflow patterns and particle distribution. To test this hypothesis we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on airway geometries obtained by computed tomography of newborn non-CF and CF pigs. For the same flow rate, newborn CF pig airways exhibited higher air velocity and resistance compared to non-CF. Moreover we found that, at the carina bifurcation, particles greater than 5-µm preferably distributed to the right CF lung despite almost equal airflow ventilation in non-CF and CF. CFD modeling also predicted that deposition efficiency was greater in CF compared to non-CF for 5- and 10-µm particles. These differences were most significant in the airways included in the geometry supplying the right caudal, right accessory, left caudal, and left cranial lobes. The irregular particle distribution and increased deposition in newborn CF pig airways suggest that early airway structural abnormalities might contribute to CF disease pathogenesis.

Air trapping and airflow obstruction in newborn cystic fibrosis piglets.

RATIONALE: Air trapping and airflow obstruction are being increasingly identified in infants with cystic fibrosis. These findings are commonly attributed to airway infection, inflammation, and mucus buildup. OBJECTIVES: To learn if air trapping and airflow obstruction are present before the onset of airway infection and inflammation in cystic fibrosis. METHODS: On the day they are born, piglets with cystic fibrosis lack airway infection and inflammation. Therefore, we used newborn wild-type piglets and piglets with cystic fibrosis to assess air trapping, airway size, and lung volume with inspiratory and expiratory X-ray computed tomography scans. Micro-computed tomography scanning was used to assess more distal airway sizes. Airway resistance was determined with a mechanical ventilator. Mean linear intercept and alveolar surface area were determined using stereologic methods. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On the day they were born, piglets with cystic fibrosis exhibited air trapping more frequently than wild-type piglets (75% vs. 12.5%, respectively). Moreover, newborn piglets with cystic fibrosis had increased airway resistance that was accompanied by luminal size reduction in the trachea, mainstem bronchi, and proximal airways. In contrast, mean linear intercept length, alveolar surface area, and lung volume were similar between both genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of air trapping, airflow obstruction, and airway size reduction in newborn piglets with cystic fibrosis before the onset of airway infection, inflammation, and mucus accumulation indicates that cystic fibrosis impacts airway development. Our findings suggest that early airflow obstruction and air trapping in infants with cystic fibrosis might, in part, be caused by congenital airway abnormalities.

The effect of geniglossal advancement on airway flow using a computational flow dynamics model.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder caused by partial or complete collapse of the pharyngeal airway. Genioglossal advancement (GGA) is a well-tolerated surgical procedure intended to address hypopharyngeal collapse, yet there are few studies that monitor changes in airflow dynamics at this site. Computation fluid dynamics (CFD) utilizes airflow simulation to predict changes in airflow after anatomic manipulation. STUDY DESIGN: We investigated the change in volume and airflow dynamics of the pharyngeal airway after GGA in a cadaveric model. METHODS: We performed serial GGA from 1 mm (control) to 3, 7, and 9 mm on a lightly preserved cadaver. After each intervention, we performed high-resolution computed tomography scans, reconstructed the pharyngeal airway, and quantified airspace volume and CFD analysis with both laminar and large eddy simulation models. RESULTS: Airway volume increased with linear GGA. In both CFD simulation models, velocity increased and pressure decreased after 9-mm advancement secondary to increased airway diameter and less abrupt changes in airway geometry. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GGA may be effective in increasing airway volume and flow to address hypopharyngeal obstruction in OSA.