Open AccessFlexural Properties of Native and Tissue‐Engineered Human Septal Cartilage
Author(s) -
Caffrey Jason P.,
Kushnaryov Anton M.,
Reuther Marsha S.,
Wong Van W.,
Briggs Kristen K.,
Masuda Koichi,
Sah Robert L.,
Watson Deborah
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812474228
Subject(s) - cartilage , materials science , bending , biomedical engineering , flexural rigidity , three point flexural test , modulus , tissue engineering , anatomy , composite material , medicine
Objective To determine and compare the bending moduli of native and engineered human septal cartilage. Study Design Prospective, basic science. Setting Research laboratory. Subjects and Methods Neocartilage constructs were fabricated from expanded human septal chondrocytes cultured in differentiation medium for 10 weeks. Constructs (n = 10) and native septal cartilage (n = 5) were tested in a 3‐point bending apparatus, and the bending moduli were calculated using Euler‐Bernoulli beam theory. Results All samples were tested successfully and returned to their initial shape after unloading. The bending modulus of engineered constructs (0.32 ± 0.25 MPa, mean ± SD) was 16% of that of native septal cartilage (1.97 ± 1.25 MPa). Conclusion Human septal constructs, fabricated from cultured human septal chondrocytes, are more compliant in bending than native human septal tissue. The bending modulus of engineered septal cartilage can be measured, and this modulus provides a useful measure of construct rigidity while undergoing maturation relative to native tissue.