Measuring the global mechanical properties of the human thorax: Costo-vertebral articulation

• Published in: Journal of biomechanics Vol. 163; p. 111923
• Main Authors: Lebschy, Carola, Gradischar, Andreas, Krach, Wolfgang, Krall, Marcell, Fediuk, Melanie, Krall, Anja, Lindenmann, Jörg, Smolle-Jüttner, Freyja, Hammer, Niels, Beyer, Benoît, Smolle, Josef, Schäfer, Ute
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2024; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: 3D-printed rib implants; Biomechanical measurements; Biomechanics; Cadavers; Cartilage; Data analysis; Human ribcage; Ligaments; Mechanical properties; Physiology; Rib; Rib vertebrae joint stiffness; Ribs; Simulation; Stiffness; Thorax; Three dimensional printing; Transplants & implants; Vertebrae; Biomechanical measurements; 3D-printed rib implants; Human ribcage; Rib vertebrae joint stiffness
• ISSN: 0021-9290; 1873-2380
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111923

Biomechanical simulation of the human thorax, e.g. for 3D-printed rib implant optimisation, requires an accurate knowledge of the associated articulation and tissue stiffness. The present study is focusing on determining the stiffness of the costo-vertebral articulations. Specimens of rib segments including the adjacent thoracic vertebrae and ligaments were obtained from two human post-mortem bodies at four different rib levels. The rib samples were loaded with a tensile force in the local longitudinal, sagittal and transverse direction and the resulting displacement was continuously measured. The moment–angle response of the rib articulations was also determined by applying a load at the rib end in the cranial – caudal direction and measuring the resulting displacement. The torsional load response of the costo-vertebral articulations at an applied moment between −0.1 Nm and 0.1 Nm corresponded to a median range of motion of 13.2° (6.4° to 20.9°). An almost uniform stiffness was measured in all tensile loading directions. The median displacement at the defined force of 28 N was 1.41 mm in the longitudinal, 1.55 mm in the sagittal, and 1.08 mm in the transverse direction. The measured moment–angle response of the costo-vertebral articulation is in line with the data from literature. On the contrary, larger displacements in longitudinal, sagittal and transverse directions were measured compared to the values found in literature.