Approach to standardized material characterization of the human lumbopelvic system-Specification, preparation and storage

PLoS One. 2023 Aug 3;18(8):e0289482. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289482. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

The complexity of the osseo-ligamentous lumbopelvic system has made it difficult to perform both, the overall preparation as well as specimen harvesting and material testing with a reasonable amount of time and personnel. The logistics of such studies present a hurdle for reproducibility. A structured procedure was developed and proved, which allows all necessary steps to be carried out reproducibly and in a reasonable time. This enables the extraction of 26 soft tissue, 33 trabecular and 32 cortical bone specimens from this anatomical region per cadaver. The integrity of the specimens remains maintained while keeping requirements within manageable limits. The practicability of the intended five-day specimen harvesting and testing procedure could be demonstrated on five test and two pre-test sequences. The intended minimization of physical, biological, and chemical external influences on specimens could be achieved. All protocols, instructions and models of preparation and storage devices are included in the supporting information. The high grade of applicability and reproducibility will lead to better comparability between different biomechanical investigations. This procedure proven on the human pelvis is transferable to other anatomical regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone and Bones*
  • Cadaver
  • Humans
  • Pelvis*
  • Reproducibility of Results

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (grant numbers MG: ZIM 16KN051655, SK: ZIM 16KN051656), the Saxon State Government out of the state budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament (stipend reference MG: 31004 70 809) and Open Access Publishing Fund of Leipzig University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.