Oscillating Couette flow for in vitro cell loading

Razi Nalim, Kerem Pekkan, Hui Bin Sun, Hiroki Yokota

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Synovial joints are loaded by weight bearing, stretching, and fluid-driven shear. To simulate in vitro fluid-driven shear, we developed an "oscillating Couette flow mechanical shear loader". Oscillating Couette flow mimics relative motion of articular surfaces; hence, characterizing flow-induced shear by the loader enhances understanding of mechanotransduction in the joint tissue. Here, the analytical and computational models for an oscillating Couette flow were used to predict time-varying shear distribution on a plate surface, applying numerical simulation to evaluate the effects of finite plate dimension in a 2D flow. Shear stress on the plate was significantly different from that in simpler models (unbounded plates and viscous low-frequency flow). High-stress spots appeared near the leading and trailing edges of a moving plate, and a relatively uniform shear region was restricted to the interior area. Stress prediction in an example experimental geometry is presented, where the frequency and finite width effects are feasibly accounted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)939-942
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Biomechanics
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Articular surface
  • Computational fluid dynamics
  • Mechanotransduction
  • Oscillating flow
  • Shear stress
  • Synovial joint

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Rehabilitation
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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