Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation
Abstract The knee menisci are essential for maintaining joint stability and load distribution, with circumferential collagen fibres playing a critical biomechanical role. Degenerative or traumatic injuries to the meniscus can require implants to restore function. This study aimed to develop a 3D-pri...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05004-1 |
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| author | Anna-Christina Moser Jennifer Fritz Alexander Otahal Andreas Kesselring Florian Schüssler Patrick Eisner Karl Heinrich Schneider Andreas Herbert Teuschl Lukas Felix Reissig Lydia Zopf Stefan Nehrer |
| author_facet | Anna-Christina Moser Jennifer Fritz Alexander Otahal Andreas Kesselring Florian Schüssler Patrick Eisner Karl Heinrich Schneider Andreas Herbert Teuschl Lukas Felix Reissig Lydia Zopf Stefan Nehrer |
| author_sort | Anna-Christina Moser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The knee menisci are essential for maintaining joint stability and load distribution, with circumferential collagen fibres playing a critical biomechanical role. Degenerative or traumatic injuries to the meniscus can require implants to restore function. This study aimed to develop a 3D-printable meniscus implant that could be virtually tested prior to production. A novel staining and preparation protocol using Lugol’s solution and freeze-drying was applied to six intact human menisci, enabling high-resolution micro-CT imaging. Quantitative analysis revealed that approximately 48% of the meniscal volume consists of circumferential fibres. Based on this, a two-volumetric printable stereolithography (STL) model was created, with an inner volume representing 48% of the total structure. A custom Python script was developed to translate the G-code from this model into a two-volumetric finite element (FE) model -overcoming the limitations of conventional software. The two-volumetric implant was then evaluated in a virtual knee joint using thermoplastic polyurethane materials with elastic moduli of 54 MPa and 205 MPa. The results confirmed the feasibility of simulating and optimizing patient-specific meniscal implants prior to fabrication. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-60a52370f93b4331a5dce80cf0a69cc5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-60a52370f93b4331a5dce80cf0a69cc52025-08-20T03:45:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-05004-1Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulationAnna-Christina Moser0Jennifer Fritz1Alexander Otahal2Andreas Kesselring3Florian Schüssler4Patrick Eisner5Karl Heinrich Schneider6Andreas Herbert Teuschl7Lukas Felix Reissig8Lydia Zopf9Stefan Nehrer10Department for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, University for Continuing Education KremsDepartment for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, University for Continuing Education KremsDepartment for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, University for Continuing Education KremsDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum WienDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum WienDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum WienCenter for Biomedical Research and Translational Surgery, Medical University of ViennaAustrian Cluster for Tissue RegenerationDivision of Anatomy, Medical University of ViennaLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVADepartment for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, University for Continuing Education KremsAbstract The knee menisci are essential for maintaining joint stability and load distribution, with circumferential collagen fibres playing a critical biomechanical role. Degenerative or traumatic injuries to the meniscus can require implants to restore function. This study aimed to develop a 3D-printable meniscus implant that could be virtually tested prior to production. A novel staining and preparation protocol using Lugol’s solution and freeze-drying was applied to six intact human menisci, enabling high-resolution micro-CT imaging. Quantitative analysis revealed that approximately 48% of the meniscal volume consists of circumferential fibres. Based on this, a two-volumetric printable stereolithography (STL) model was created, with an inner volume representing 48% of the total structure. A custom Python script was developed to translate the G-code from this model into a two-volumetric finite element (FE) model -overcoming the limitations of conventional software. The two-volumetric implant was then evaluated in a virtual knee joint using thermoplastic polyurethane materials with elastic moduli of 54 MPa and 205 MPa. The results confirmed the feasibility of simulating and optimizing patient-specific meniscal implants prior to fabrication.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05004-1 |
| spellingShingle | Anna-Christina Moser Jennifer Fritz Alexander Otahal Andreas Kesselring Florian Schüssler Patrick Eisner Karl Heinrich Schneider Andreas Herbert Teuschl Lukas Felix Reissig Lydia Zopf Stefan Nehrer Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation Scientific Reports |
| title | Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| title_full | Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| title_fullStr | Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| title_short | Freeze drying and Lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| title_sort | freeze drying and lugol staining of human menisci reveal circumferential fibre volumes to guide meniscus implant design and virtual simulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05004-1 |
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