Dynamic mechanical properties of viable human cortical bone

A technique has been developed that permits the mechanical modulus in tension to be determined upon viable human cortical bone specimens. This technique includes the use of: 1. 1. A rapid, sterile excision procedure that yields specimens with finished dimensions suitable for test. 2. 2. A portable incubator to maintain specimen viability until testing. 3. 3. A miniature dynamic tensile testing device, maintained in a controlled temperature/humidity enclosure to promote continued specimen viability. Specimens were excised from the tibial midshafts of eight patients immediately after amputation for various causes. The effective mechanical modulus in tension was determined along the fiber axis at 37·5°C for frequencies between 35·4 and 353·6 Hz and at strains below 0·3 per cent. At least one specimen was demonstrated to be viable after test by tissue culture techniques. Elastic moduli were found to vary between 6·35 and 10·0 × 10 9(N/m 2) at 35·4 Hz, increasing to a range of 12·1–14·9 × 10 9 (N/m 2) at 353·6 Hz. Correlations with patients' age and ash weight per cent of the specimens are also discussed.