Biomechanics and Biotransport in Healthcare
Biomechanics and Biotransport in Healthcare
Introduction
·
Biomechanics and biotransport are integral
fields within biomedical engineering and healthcare that apply principles of
mechanics, fluid dynamics, and material science to understand, diagnose, and
improve biological functions.
- Biomechanics
deals with the mechanical behavior of biological systems such as bones,
joints, muscles, ligaments, and the motion of the human body.
- Biotransport
focuses on the transport processes in biological systems, including blood
flow, airflow, transport of nutrients, waste removal, and drug delivery at
molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels.
Together, these fields aid in
- Designing
prosthetics, implants, and orthotics.
- Understanding
pathological conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, or gait
abnormalities.
- Enhancing
targeted drug delivery systems and therapies.
- Improving
surgical planning and rehabilitation protocols.
Definition:
The study of forces and motions at joints of the musculoskeletal system.
- Types
of Joints:
- Synovial
Joints (freely movable; e.g., knee, hip).
- Fibrous
Joints (immovable; e.g., skull sutures).
- Cartilaginous
Joints (slightly movable; e.g.,
intervertebral discs).
- Biomechanical
Considerations:
- Load-bearing
capacity (stress, strain).
- Range
of Motion (ROM).
- Friction
reduction via synovial fluid.
- Stability
provided by ligaments and muscles.
- Clinical
Applications:
- Artificial
joint design (hip/knee replacement).
- Understanding
osteoarthritis and degenerative changes.
- Sports
injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Robotic
and exoskeleton-assisted movement design.
Definition:
The study of hemodynamics, i.e., the mechanical properties of blood
circulation.
- Blood
as a Fluid:
- Non-Newtonian
fluid (viscosity varies with shear rate).
- Comprised
of plasma and formed elements (RBCs, WBCs, platelets).
- Key
Principles:
- Poiseuille’s
Law (relationship between flow, pressure, radius, and viscosity).
- Laminar
vs. Turbulent Flow.
- Arterial
vs. Venous flow dynamics.
- Determinants
of Blood Flow:
- Cardiac
output.
- Vascular
resistance and vessel compliance.
- Blood
viscosity and hematocrit.
- Clinical
Relevance:
- Hypertension,
atherosclerosis, aneurysms.
- Blood
flow analysis in stent and graft design.
- Hemodynamic
monitoring in critical care.
- Artificial
heart and ventricular assist device development.
Definition:
The systematic study of human walking and movement patterns.
- Phases
of Gait Cycle:
- Stance
Phase (60%): heel strike → midstance →
toe-off.
- Swing
Phase (40%): acceleration → midswing →
deceleration.
- Parameters
Studied:
- Kinematics
(motion without forces): step length, stride, cadence.
- Kinetics
(forces): ground reaction force, joint torques.
- Electromyography
(muscle activity).
- Applications
in Healthcare:
- Diagnosis
and treatment of neuromuscular disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy,
Parkinson’s disease).
- Post-surgical
rehabilitation (hip/knee replacement).
- Sports
science and injury prevention.
- Prosthetics
and orthotics optimization.
- Robotics
and exoskeleton development for mobility.
Drug Delivery (Biotransport of
Therapeutics)
Definition:
Controlled transport of therapeutic agents within the body for optimal
effectiveness.
- Mechanisms
of Drug Transport:
- Diffusion
(passive movement across membranes).
- Convection
(movement with blood/lymph flow).
- Active
transport (carrier-mediated).
- Endocytosis/exocytosis
(cellular uptake and release).
- Delivery
Systems:
- Oral,
intravenous, transdermal, inhalation, and implantable devices.
- Nanomedicine
(liposomes, nanoparticles for targeted delivery).
- Sustained
release systems (microspheres, hydrogels).
- Factors
Affecting Biotransport of Drugs:
- Blood
flow distribution (perfusion).
- Tissue
permeability.
- Binding
affinity to plasma proteins.
- Metabolism
and clearance (liver, kidney).
- Healthcare
Applications:
- Cancer
therapy (targeted chemotherapy).
- Insulin
pumps and controlled hormone release.
- Inhaled
drugs for asthma/COPD.
- Gene
therapy and biologics transport.
Definition:
Study of flow mechanics within various organs where fluids play a crucial role.
- Lungs
(Airflow Dynamics):
- Laminar
vs. turbulent airflow in bronchi.
- Ventilation-perfusion
matching.
- Clinical
relevance: COPD, asthma, ventilator design.
- Kidneys
(Urine Formation & Flow):
- Transport
across nephrons (glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, secretion).
- Fluid
regulation and electrolyte balance.
- Clinical
relevance: dialysis design, kidney disease modeling.
- Brain
(Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow):
- CSF
circulation in ventricles and subarachnoid space.
- Maintains
intracranial pressure (ICP).
- Disorders:
hydrocephalus, meningitis, traumatic brain injury.
- Digestive
System:
- Peristaltic
motion for food propulsion.
- Absorption
of nutrients and fluid balance.
- Relevance:
drug absorption, GI motility disorders.
- Reproductive
System:
- Sperm
motility (flagellar dynamics).
- Uterine
fluid dynamics in embryo implantation.
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