Biomechanical analysis of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for knee meniscus applications, including comparison with human donor samples. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayes, Jennifer C.; Curley, Colin; Tierney, Paul; Kennedy, James E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 56(2016)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Knee meniscus -- Hydrogel -- Polyvinyl alcohol -- Biocompatibility -- Biomechanical analysis -- Cytotoxicological analysis; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.11.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: The primary objective of this research was the biomechanical analysis of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, in order to assess its potential for use as an artificial meniscal implant. Aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was treated with a sodium sulphate (Na2 SO4 ) solution to precipitate out the polyvinyl alcohol resulting in a pliable hydrogel. The freeze–thaw process, a strictly physical method of crosslinking, was employed to crosslink the hydrogel. Development of a meniscal shaped mould and sample housing unit allowed the production of meniscal shaped hydrogels for direct comparison to human meniscal tissue. Results obtained show that compressive responses were slightly higher in PVA/Na2 SO4 menisci, displaying maximum compressive loads of 2472 N, 2482 N and 2476 N for samples having undergone 1, 3 and 5 freeze–thaw cycles respectively. When compared to the human meniscal tissue tested under the same conditions, an average maximum load of 2467.5 N was observed. This suggests that the PVA/Na2 SO4 menisci are mechanically comparable to the human meniscus. Biocompatibility analysis of PVA/Na2 SO4 hydrogels revealed no acute cytotoxicity. The work described herein has innovative potential in load bearing applications, specifically as an alternative to meniscectomy as replacement of critically damaged meniscal tissue in the knee joint where repair is not viable.