Fundamental Biomechanics in Bone Tissue Engineering

This eight-chapter monograph intends to present basic principles and applications of biomechanics in bone tissue engineering in order to assist tissue engineers in design and use of tissue-engineered products for repair and replacement of damaged/deformed bone tissues. Briefly, Chapter 1 gives an overall review of biomechanics in the field of bone tissue engineering. Chapter 2 provides detailed information regarding the composition and architecture of bone. Chapter 3 discusses the current methodologies for mechanical testing of bone properties (i.e., elastic, plastic, damage/fracture, viscoelastic/viscoplastic properties). Chapter 4 presents the current understanding of the mechanical behavior of bone and the associated underlying mechanisms. Chapter 5 discusses the structure and properties of scaffolds currently used for bone tissue engineering applications. Chapter 6 gives a brief discussion of current mechanical and structural tests of repair/tissue engineered bone tissues. Chapter 7 summarizes the properties of repair/tissue engineered bone tissues currently attained. Finally, Chapter 8 discusses the current issues regarding biomechanics in the area of bone tissue engineering.