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Electromechanical reshaping (EMR) of cartilage has been suggested as an alternative to the classical surgical techniques
of modifying the shape of facial cartilages. The method is based on exposure of mechanically deformed cartilaginous
tissue to a low level electric field. Electro-chemical reactions within the tissue lead to reduction of internal stress, and
establishment of a new equilibrium shape. The same reactions offset the electric charge balance between collagen and
proteoglycan matrix and interstitial fluid responsible for maintenance of cartilage mechanical properties. The objective
of this study was to investigate correlation between the electric charge transferred during EMR and equilibrium elastic
modulus.
We used a finite element model based on the triphasic theory of cartilage mechanical properties to study how electric
charges transferred in the electro-chemical reactions in cartilage can change its mechanical responses to step
displacements in unconfined compression. The concentrations of the ions, the strain field and the fluid and ion velocities
within the specimen subject to an applied mechanical deformation were estimated and apparent elastic modulus (the ratio
of the equilibrium axial stress to the axial strain) was calculated as a function of transferred charge. The results from
numerical calculations showed that the apparent elastic modulus decreases with increase in electric charge transfer. To
compare numerical model with experimental observation we measured elastic modulus of cartilage as a function of
electric charge transferred in electric circuit during EMR. Good correlation between experimental and theoretical data
suggests that electric charge disbalance is responsible for alteration of cartilage mechanical properties.
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Dimitry E. Protsenko, Amanda Lim, Edward C. Wu, Cyrus Manuel, Brian J. F. Wong, "The influence of electric charge transferred during electro-mechanical reshaping on mechanical behavior of cartilage," Proc. SPIE 7901, Energy-based Treatment of Tissue and Assessment VI, 790105 (22 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875872