Mechanics of brain tissue & Biomechanics

Slow, large deformations of human brain tissue—accompanying cranial vault deformation induced by positional plagiocephaly, occurring during hydrocephalus, and in the convolutional development—has been the focus of our investigation. We have invented, designed and produced a new testing apparatus, to provide the first experimental proof that human brain tissue obeys consolidation theory, thus solving a long-standing debate on the hydrated nature of brain parenchyma.

Other topics we have considered in biomechanics are the behaviour of nacre (mother-of-pearl), a material with excellent mechanical properties, and the modelling of periodontal ligament, the thin, soft tissue connecting the teeth to the alveolar bone. We have proposed a new micromechanically-based model for nacre, showing for the first time that this material is orthotropic and bimodular. In the mechanics of teeth mobility, we have proposed an innovative interface model, directly based on experiments, for the periodontal ligament (the thin ligament joining the tooth to the alveolar bone).

Related papers:

• G. Franceschini, D. Bigoni, P. Regitnig and G.A. Holzapfel, Brain tissue deforms similarly to filled elastomers and follows consolidation theory.
  Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2006, 54, 2592-2620.
• K. Bertoldi, D. Bigoni and W.J. Drugan, Nacre: an orthotropic and bimodular elastic material.
  Composites Science and Technology, 2008, 68(6), 1363-1375.
• M. Gei, F. Genna and D. Bigoni, An interface model for the periodontal ligament.
  Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 2002, 124, 538-546.

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