Optimisation of osteochondral grafts for the treatment of cartilage lesions

这个博士学位将涉及使用工程方法，如有限元分析和机械测试，以检查“骨软骨移植”植入物的性能，用于修复膝关节受损的软骨，解决紧迫的临床挑战。在英国，膝关节骨关节炎影响着超过450万人，它导致关节疼痛和僵硬，限制了患者的活动并降低了生活质量。临床上需要早期的、侵入性较小的治疗来预防或延迟膝关节置换手术，这是昂贵的并且不适合所有患者。骨软骨（软骨+骨）移植物修复小面积受损软骨已显示出一定的前景，但临床结果是可变的。该博士将使用新的实验测试和有限元（FE）建模方法相结合，以检查骨软骨移植物的机械性能，目的是确定影响性能的移植物的关键设计特征。该研究将包括使用独特的体外测试设备和microCT成像设施，以检查移植后尸体人和羊膝关节的机械性能。基于图像的FE方法将用于评价移植物性能，扩展当前方法以检查移植物下沉和对邻近组织的损伤。将有机会验证模型对实验数据从利兹和最近在体内绵羊研究的合作者在伦敦大学学院进行。实验和有限元方法的结合将用于评估移植物设计变化的影响，并提出移植物如何最好地匹配不同的患者特征。

This PhD will involve using engineering methods such as finite element analysis and mechanical testing to examine the performance of 'osteochondral graft' implants for the repair of damaged cartilage in the knee, addressing a pressing clinical challenge. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects over 4.5 million people in the UK, it causes the joint to become painful and stiff, limiting a patient's movement and reducing quality of life. There is a clinical need for earlier stage, less-invasive, treatments to prevent or delay knee replacement surgery, which is costly and not suitable for all patients. Repair of small areas of damaged cartilage with osteochondral (cartilage + bone) grafts has shown some promise, but the clinical outcomes are variable.This PhD will use a combination of novel experimental testing and finite element (FE) modelling methods to examine the mechanical performance of osteochondral grafts, with the aim of identifying the key design features of the graft that affect performance. The study will include the use of unique in vitro testing equipment and microCT imaging facilities to examine the mechanical performance of cadaveric human and sheep knees following grafting. Image-based FE methods will be used to evaluate the graft performance, extending current methods to examine graft subsidence and damage to adjacent tissues. There will be opportunities to validate the models against both experimental data from Leeds and recent in vivo sheep studies undertaken by collaborators at UCL. The combined experimental and FE approach will be used to evaluate the effects of graft design changes, and propose how grafts can best be matched to different patient characteristics.