Regional Hyperelastic Parameters Identification of Calf Meniscus using Flat Punch Indentation

Exact characterization of mechanical behavior of meniscus in its different regions is very important issue due to significant role of meniscus in load bearing and transferring from proximal organs to distal one and vise-versa. There are several methods for identification of mechanical properties of materials. Indentation is one of the well-known approaches for mechanical characterization of biological tissues. The aim of this investigation was to identify Hyperelastic parameters of meniscus using indentation methodology. Taking into consideration that meniscus has a nonlinear behavior in high strain levels, bovine meniscus is modeled as a Hyperelastic material. Then, for imaging the response of meniscus for external loading, samples from fresh bovine menisci were prepared and tested using flat punch indentation apparatus. To solve inverse finite element problem for identification of unknown parameters conventional genetic algorithm (GA) has been used. For investigation of mechanical behavior in different region, test procedure repeated for three zones on meniscus including anterior, middle and posterior. Results show that there were no site-dependent differences in Hyperelastic parameters in the lateral meniscus.