Stiff yet supple hydrogel mimics cartilage

Saloplastic Macroporous Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Cartilage Mimics

Complexes of sodium poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) were formed on mixing equimolar solutions in high salt concentration. Under ultracentrifugal fields, the complex precipitates were transformed into compact polyelectrolyte complexes (CoPECs), which showed extensive porosity. The mechanical properties of CoPECS make them attractive for bioim...

Mathematical Model of Cartilage Regeneration via Hydrogel

Because of the large number of individuals with cartilage problems, whether due to sports injuries or diseases such as arthritis, there is a medical need for effective cartilage regeneration. To assist with the development of a procedure for regeneration, a mathematical model is desirable. A mathematical model is useful because it can allow regeneration times to be calculated for various initia...

Origami tubes assembled into stiff, yet reconfigurable structures and metamaterials.

Thin sheets have long been known to experience an increase in stiffness when they are bent, buckled, or assembled into smaller interlocking structures. We introduce a unique orientation for coupling rigidly foldable origami tubes in a "zipper" fashion that substantially increases the system stiffness and permits only one flexible deformation mode through which the structure can deploy. The flex...

Yet more evidence that osteoarthritis is not a cartilage disease.

I n this issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Tan et al report the results of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI) of interphalangeal joints of 20 subjects who had ‘‘clinically osteoarthritic’’ and painful finger joints for ,l year. The MRI observations are supported by histological and radiographic examination of dissecting room specimens of apparently non-arthritic interph...

Superior Lubrication Mechanism in Artificial Hydrogel Cartilage for Joint Prostheses