Measurement of mechanical porperties during cartilage-regenerating process

Abstract

Change in mechanical properties of regenerated cartilage tissue were measured during cultivation. Dynamic visco-elastic measurement and friction test were carried out for rabbit articular cartilage inoculated in fibroin sponge. The dynamic visco-elastic measurement was performed under compressive loading condition. The E' values increase with cultivation days and the peak value and frequency of tan δ shift to a lower amount. Friction coefficinet decreased with cultivation days. It is suggested that changes in mechanical properties of the regenerated cartilage are caused by synthesis of extracellular matrix and maturation of cultured cartilage tissue.