Berlin 2012 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 25: Poster: Stress Relaxation in Polymers - From single molecules to biological cells (joint focus with BP)
CPP 25.8: Poster
Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 11:00–13:00, Poster A
Ultrastructure and the viscoelastic properties of anterior cruciate ligament studied with atomic force microscopy — •Mandy Göring1, Eike-Christian Spitzner1, Stephanie Röper1, Anke Bernstein2, and Robert Magerle1 — 1Chemische Physik, TU Chemnitz, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany — 2Department für Orthopädie und Unfallchirugie, Muskuloskelettales Forschungslabor, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany
Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are one of the most common injuries in young and active humans. In today's surgical practice, it is common to use autologous graft tissue for ACL reconstruction. Allografts have recently gained popularity in orthopaedic sports medicine, especially in primary and revision reconstruction of ACL. However the allografts need to be sterilized either by freeze-drying, with peracetic acid or gamma radiation. Most current sterilization procedures have inherent disadvantages affecting biological properties and mechanical function of the graft. We investigate cryosections and collagen fibres isolated from bovine ACL. The samples are prepared like human grafts, adsorbed onto a silicon wafer and studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in tapping mode. The local viscoelastic properties of the specimen are determined by measuring the dissipated energy between the AFM tip and the collagen fibril as well as the local indentation of the tip into the surface. Changes of the ultrastructure and local viscoelastic properties are discussed with respect to the different types of chemical and physical treatment.