mathematical / numerical modelling in biomechanics and biomedical engineering.

We have the ability to develop software coding for specialised applications in biomechanical and biomedical engineering which are not available in standard commercial finite element codes. This facility is of particular interest to companies who wish to access state of the art software to enable the development and assessment of new or improved devices.

Although our mission is simple, the technologies and knowledge bases involved are not !!!

Projects have included assessment of implant devices such as ceramic hip components, dental implants, assessment and design analyses of tibia and hip prostheses (interface analysis), polymerisation of dental cements, finite element analysis of the knee joint imbalanced by ligamentous structures, homogenisation of micromechanical properties of implant interfaces and development of dedicated contact model and the development of constitutive laws for soft tissue.

Based on our highly specialised skills, research knowledge and experience in solving industrial problems, we are confident that we could save your company time and effort. We would provide you with complete computational solutions especially customised to your specific project requirements, taking into consideration the finite element package you are already using in your company.

Whatsmore it would be a pleasure for us to work with your team on challenging and exciting projects... as well as those projects currently causing a headache!!!

*isotropy of mechanical properties: identical properties in all directions within the material

One of the challenges of the bioengineering area is to characterise the mechanical properties of each constituent of the human body (bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, skin, arteries, muscles, etc…) before addressing the way they interact with medical devices and the external environment. All these biological materials have a very complex behaviour: they are time-dependent, highly nonlinear, can sustain large deformations and are sensitive to internal or external conditions (hydratation...). Last, but not the least, they are living materials which are constantly evolving.

For example, performing numerical simulations of the behaviour of soft tissues (arteries, ligaments, cartilage, etc...) by assuming isotropy of the mechanical properties* is generally a very restrictive framework which provides erroneous results compared to the real physiological conditions. A computer model does not pretend to be the exact copy of the reality, indeed it could be said that the end for the quest to the Grail of Computational Biomechanics is still far ahead of us !!!. However, the fibrous nature of soft tissues is a key element in their mechanical behaviour and should be integrated into the modelling process. Failure to do so can be prevented but requires specialised knowledge and software applications.

We have considerable experience of working directly with clinicians and biologists and have built upon our skills in order to bridge the gap that exists between the various disciplines involved, especially in terms of communication. If we want to deliver efficient solutions to real-life problems there is great benefit to be had from talking to one another and pooling our separate expertise.