Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (28): 5248-5250.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.28.027

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Comparison of rib impact mechanical properties from youth and elderly corpses

Chen Shu1, Guo Xi-ping1, Gao Ming2, Ma Hong-shun3   

  1. 1 Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun  130037, Jilin Province, China; 2 Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun  130041, Jilin Province, China; 3 Department of Engineering Mechanics, Nanling Campus of Jilin University, Changchun  130022, Jilin Province, China
  • Online:2010-07-09 Published:2010-07-09
  • Contact: Ma Hong-shun, Professor, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Nanling Campus of Jilin University, Changchun 130022, Jilin Province, China mahs@jlu.edu.cn
  • About author:Chen Shu★, Master, Attending physician, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130037, Jilin Province, China

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Impact mechanics properties of ribs should be understood in treating osteoporosis, bone remodeling, bone reconstruction, as well as artificial joint replacement. Most of previous studies concerning youth and the elderly bodies alone, reports regarding impact of ribs mechanical properties are few.
OBJECTIVE: To perform impact experiment to the normal people youth and the elderly fresh corpse ribs to survey the impact mechanical properties, and to definite whether the impact mechanical properties of ribs have difference between youth and the elderly people.
METHODS: Experimental samples were from 4 normal fresh corpse, aged 20, 25, 70 and 75 years, were provided by Department of Anatomy, Norman Bethune Medical University. Spinal column ribs T3-12 specimen were obtained from corpse within 1 hours and cut into 55-mm long pieces, with 20 test pieces in each group. The impact experiment was performed using energy liberation method at room temperature under 20 ℃. After experiment, the impact energy was displayed automatic on testing machine, and the impact toughness was calculated by mechanical formula, and the morphology of fracture surface was observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The impact energy and impact toughness of the youth group was obviously greater than that of the elderly group (P < 0.05). Majority of the fracture surfaces were comminuted, minority were transverse or oblique fracture. The macroscopic observation showed that trabecular arranged compact in the ribs of the youth group, which was sparse arrangement and presented with senile osteoporosis in the elderly group. It demonstrated that the impact mechanics properties of ribs are different between the youth and elderly groups, and osteoporosis changes impact mechanics properties in the elderly people.

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