Date of Award

4-2014

Degree Name

MS in Biomedical Engineering

Department/Program

Biomedical and General Engineering

Advisor

Scott Hazelwood

Abstract

A greater understanding of bone materials would be beneficial in creating more accurate computer models and in the making of biomedical products involving bone. This study set out to determine whether cortical and trabecular bone are two separate materials, or whether they are the same material with a variance in porosity. To answer this question, samples were taken from different sections of the equine metacarpus, underwent densitometry analysis and were statistically analyzed. The majority of results suggest that the material is the same between varying densities of bone and thus the same between cortical and trabecular bone. These particular results are consistent with current standard practices. However, in several instances specifically regarding high porosity trabecular bone, a variance in density was found likely indicating a combination of differences in both material and architecture. Further studies should be done with specific focus on material variances to high porosity trabecular bone to improve the accuracy of computer models and general knowledge.

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