Biomechanical experimentation to improve the biofidelity of in silico models
Commonly used acronym: FIBEr
Scope of the method
- Animal health
- Human health
- Basic Research
- Education and training
- Translational - Applied Research
- In vitro - Ex vivo
- Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Description
- tensile testing
- indentation testing
- compression testing
- micro-CT scanning
- multi-axial loading
- mechanical testing
- biomechanics
- parameter fitting
- finite element modeling
FIBEr (Flanders Institute for Biomechanical Experimentation) is a laboratory that investigates the mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, microstructure) of biological tissue, in casu bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, etc. A quantitative characterization of the mechanical behavior of biological tissue is crucial to understand mechanics-related pathologies (aneurysm formation, osteoporosis, …) and provides us with the necessary building blocks for in silico testing of interacting mechanical devices and treatment methods. In silico testing not only reduces the need for animal testing, but also enables customized, patient-specific medical solutions. The tested material consists mainly of tissues from deceased donors, biopsies or laboratory animals (always upon ethical approval). The lab possesses several types of mechanical testing devices, each suited for testing different types of tissues and/or material properties. There is also a sample preparation room as well as a sample storage room for (cryo-)preservation. There are around 25 researchers, PhD students and master students that frequent the lab. Furthermore, projects are frequently performed for or in collaboration with biotech companies.
- - planar biaxial tensile testing device ;
- - triaxial testing device (extensio-inflation-torsion) ;
- - micro-CT scanner ;
- - nano-indentor ;
- - micro-indentor ;
- - dynamic uniaxial tensile device ;
- - sample preparation room ;
- - sample storage room.
- Still in development
- History of use
- Internally validated
Pros, cons & Future potential
A quantitative characterization of the mechanical behavior of biological tissue is crucial to understand mechanics-related pathologies (aneurysm formation, osteoporosis, …) and provides us with the necessary building blocks for in silico testing of interacting mechanical devices and treatment methods. In silico testing not only reduces the need for animal testing, but also enables customized, patient-specific medical solutions.
Given the biological nature of the tissue, it is essential to perform the characterization in circumstances that mimic the in vivo conditions as closely as possible. FIBEr pays a lot of attention to applying loading conditions that are relevant for the in vivo loading situation, and to create a physiological testing environment (in terms of temperature, medium, etc.). Nevertheless, there will always be a discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo measured material properties.
FIBEr is continuously striving to further optimize testing protocols and to expand its portfolio to other mechanical testing methods.
The vision of FIBEr is to become the reference center in Belgium and beyond for mechanical characterization of biological tissues and biomedical products, and to achieve worldwide recognition for the development of validated testing protocols.
Contact person
Nele FamaeyOrganisations
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)Mechanical Engineering
Belgium
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Institute for Orthopedic Research and Training
Belgium
