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dr hab. inż. Izabela Lubowiecka
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- Associate professor at Structural Mechanics Department
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total: 82
Catalog Publications
Year 2024
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Self-organising maps in the analysis of strains of human abdominal wall to identify areas of similar mechanical behaviour.
PublicationThe study refers to the application of a type of artificial neural network called the Self-Organising Map (SOM) for the identification of areas of the human abdominal wall that behave in a similar mechanical way. The research is based on data acquired during in vivo tests using the digital image correlation technique (DIC). The mechanical behaviour of the human abdominal wall is analysed during changing intra-abdominal pressure....
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Unsupervised Learning for Biomechanical Data Using Self-organising Maps, an Approach for Temporomandibular Joint Analysis
PublicationWe proposed to apply a specific machine learning technique called Self-Organising Maps (SOM) to identify similarities in the performance of muscles around human temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The performance was assessed by measuring muscle activation with the use of surface electromyography (sEMG). SOM algorithm used in the study was able to find clusters of data in sEMG test results. The SOM analysis was based on processed sEMG...
Year 2023
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Biomechanical causes for failure of the Physiomesh/Securestrap system
PublicationThis study investigates the mechanical behavior of the Physiomesh/Securestrap system, a hernia repair system used for IPOM procedures associated with high failure rates. The study involved conducting mechanical experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the mechanical behavior of the Physiomesh/Securestrap system under pressure load. Uniaxial tension tests were conducted to determine the elasticity modulus of the Physiomesh...
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Full-field in vivo experimental study of the strains of a breathing human abdominal wall with intra-abdominal pressure variation
PublicationThe presented study aims to assess the mechanical behaviour of the anterior abdominal wall based on an in vivo experiment on humans. Full-field measurement of abdominal wall displacement during changes of intra-abdominal pressure is performed using a digital image correlation (DIC) system. Continuous measurement in time enables the observation of changes in the strain field during breathing. The understanding of the mechanical...
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Is mesh fixation necessary in laparoendoscopic techniques for M3 inguinal defects? An experimental study.
Publicationrepairs, in case of large direct hernias (M3) mesh fixation is recommended to reduce recurrence risk. Despite lack of highquality evidence, the recommendation was upgraded to strong by expert panel. The authors conducted a research experiment to verify the hypothesis that it is possible to preserve the mesh in the operating field in large direct hernias (M3) without the need to use fixing materials. Method The authors conducted...
Year 2022
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A novel in vivo approach to assess strains of the human abdominal wall under known intraabdominal pressure
PublicationThe study concerns mechanical behaviour of a living human abdominal wall. A better mechanical understanding of a human abdominal wall and recognition of its material properties is required to find mechanically compatible surgical meshes to significantly improve the treatment of ventral hernias. A non-invasive methodology, based on in vivo optical measurements is proposed to determine strains of abdominal wall corresponding to...
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BJS-03 DO WE NEED FIXATION OF THE MESH IN LAPAROENDOSCOPIC TECHNIQUES FOR M3 INGUINAL DEFECTS? AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
PublicationThe authors conducted a research experiment to verify the hypothesis that it is possible to preserve the mesh in the operating field in large direct hernias (M3) without the need to use fixing materials. The results showed that mesh fixation is not the only alternative to preventing recurrence in complex defects and that the type of implant seems to be a key factor from the point of view of mechanics and biophysics.
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Nonlinear material identification of heterogeneous isogeometric Kirchhoff–Love shells
PublicationThis work presents a Finite Element Model Updating inverse methodology for reconstructing heterogeneous materialdistributions based on an efficient isogeometric shell formulation. It uses nonlinear hyperelastic material models suitable fordescribing incompressible material behavior as well as initially curved shells. The material distribution is discretized by bilinearelements such that the nodal values...
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Portico Farmhouses of the Vistula Delta: Architecture, Current State and Finite Element Modelling of Timber Roof Truss under Material and Cross-section Uncertainty
PublicationThe article focuses on the oldest surviving I-type portico houses located in the Vistula Delta, which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. The study describes the houses’ origins, structure, details of roof structures and technical condition, and it also includes numerical modelling of a roof truss and its mechanical analysis. Numerical models of the roof trusses are defined and analysed by means of the finite element method....
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Towards classification of patients based on surface EMG data of temporomandibular joint muscles using self-organising maps
PublicationThe study considers the need for an effective method of classification of patients with a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The self-organising map method (SOM) was applied to group patients and used together with the cross-correlation approach to interpret the processed (rectified and smoothed by using root mean square (RMS) algorithm) surface electromyography signal (sEMG) obtained from testing the muscles (two temporal...
Year 2021
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Isogeometric Shell FE Analysis of the Human Abdominal Wall
PublicationIn this paper a nonlinear isogeometric Kirchhoff-Love shell model of the human abdominal wall is proposed. Its geometry is based on in vivo measurements obtained from a polygon mesh that is transformed into a NURBS surface, and then used directly for the finite element analysis. The passive response of the abdominal wall model under uniform pressure is considered. A hyperelastic membrane model based on the Gasser-Ogden-Holzapfel...
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On the current state of dovetail wall-corner joints in wooden Greek Catholic churches in Polish Subcarpathia with structural and sensitivity analyses
PublicationThis paper describes the current condition of some dovetail joints which form the wall corners of two Greek Catholic churches of wooden construction in Polish Subcarpathia. It also gives the historical background of the sacral architecture of that region. The two structures, which represent the same type of log corner joints are situated in Chotylub and Cewków. The buildings were examined e.g. for damage, wood moisture content,...
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Self-Organising map neural network in the analysis of electromyography data of muscles acting at temporomandibular joint.
PublicationThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that via muscle action and jaw motion allows for necessary physiological performances such as mastication. Whereas mandible translates and rotates [1]. Estimation of activity of muscles acting at the TMJ provides a knowledge of activation pattern solely of a specific patient that an electromyography (EMG) examination was carried out [2]. In this work, a Self-Organising Maps (SOMs)...
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SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS IN THE REHABILITATION OF HISTORIC TIMBER STRUCTURES ON THE EXAMPLES OF GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN POLISH SUBCARPATHIA
PublicationThis work concerns structural and sensitivity analysis of carpentry joints used in historic wooden buildings in south-eastern Poland and western Ukraine. These are primarily sacred buildings and the types of joints characteristic for this region are saddle notch and dovetail joints. Thus, in the study the authors focus on these types of corner log joints. Numerical models of the joints are defined and finite element simulations...
Year 2020
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Constitutive Modelling of Knitted Abdominal Implants in Numerical Simulations of Repaired Hernia Mechanics
PublicationThe paper presents a numerical approach to describe mechanical behavior of anisotropic textile material, which is a selected abdominal prosthesis. Two constitutive nonlinear concepts are compared. In the first one the material is considered composed from two families of threads (dense net model) and in the second one the material is homogeneous but anisotropic (as proposed by Gassel, Ogden, Holzapfel). Parameters of both models...
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Experimental and computational study on mechanical behaviour of carpentry corner log joints
PublicationThis work concerns experimental and numerical research on carpentry joints used in historic wooden buildings in southeastern Poland and western Ukraine. These structures are mainly sacred buildings, and the types of corner log joints characteristic of this region are primarily saddle-notch and dovetail joints; thus, these two types of joints were analysed in this study. The modelling of historic timber structures is a complex...
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Finite element modelling of a historic church structure in the context of a masonry damage analysis
PublicationThe paper includes a case study of modelling a real historic church using the finite element method (FEM) based on laser scans of its geometry. The main goal of the study was the analysis of the causes of cracking and crushing of masonry walls. An FEM model of the structure has been defined in ABAQUS. A non-linear dynamic explicit analysis with material model including damage plasticity has been performed. A homogenization procedure...
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In vivo performance of intraperitoneal onlay mesh after ventral hernia repair
PublicationBackground: Ventral hernia repair needs to be improved since recurrence, postoperative pain and other complications are still reported in many patients. The behavior of implants in vivo is not sufficiently understood to design a surgical mesh mechanically compatible with the human abdominal wall. Methods: This analysis was based on radiological pictures of patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. The pictures...
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Material Identification of the Human Abdominal Wall Based On the Isogeometric Shell Model
PublicationThe human abdominal wall is an object of interest to the research community in the context of ventral hernia repair. Computer models require a priori knowledge of constitutive parameters in order to establish its mechanical response. In this work, the Finite Element Model Updating (FEMU) method is used to identify an heterogeneous shear modulus distribution for a human abdominal wall model, which is based on nonlinear isogeometric...
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Modelling of Abdominal Wall Under Uncertainty of Material Properties
PublicationThe paper concerns abdominal wall modelling. The accurate prediction and simulation of abdominal wall mechanics are important in the context of optimization of ventral hernia repair. The shell Finite Element model is considered, as the one which can be used in patient-specific approach due to relatively easy geometry generation. However, there are uncertainties in this issue, e.g. related to mechanical properties since the properties...
Year 2019
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Jaw biomechanics: Estimation of activity of muscles acting at the temporomandibular joint
PublicationThe aim of this study was to elaborate a method of estimation of activity of surface muscles acting at the temporomandibular joint of the healthy subjects by using a surface electromyography (EMG). The scope of this study involved testing chosen jaw motions (open, close, lateral deviation) and process of mastication occurring during eating food with different toughness (chewing gum, cereal and carrot) by using mixed sides, right...
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Mechanics of mesh implanted into abdominal wall under repetitive load. Experimental and numerical study
PublicationThere are a number of papers discussing medical and mechanical aspects of ventral hernia management. Despite intensive work on the problem understanding, recurrences of the sickness still happen too often. For that reason new aspects of the problem must be considered. In this paper, a change in the abdominal implant’s stiffness is discussed, which is caused by cyclic loading. Such loading influence abdominal implant e.g. while...
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Modelling and Measurement of Folk Guitar: Truss Rod and Strings in Numerical Analysis of Tone
PublicationThe study makes an attempt to model a complete vibrating guitar including its non-linear features, specifically the tension-compression of truss rod and tension of strings. The purpose of such a model is to examine the influence of design parameters on tone. Most experimental studies are flawed by uncertainties introduced by materials and assembly of an instrument. Since numerical modelling of instruments allows for deterministic...
Year 2018
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Global sensitivity analysis of membrane model of abdominal wall with surgical mesh
PublicationThe paper addresses the issue of ventral hernia repair. Finite Element simulations can be helpful in the optimization of hernia parameters. A membrane abdominal wall model is proposed in two variants: a healthy one and including hernia defect repaired by implant. The models include many uncertainties, e.g. due to variability of abdominal wall, intraabdominal pressure value etc. Measuring mechanical properties with high accuracy...
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Historical carpentry corner log joints—Numerical analysis within stochastic framework
PublicationThe paper presents the results of numerical analysis performed on historical, traditional carpentry corner logjoints of two basic topologies: the short-corner dovetail connection and the saddle notch connection. These types of carpentry joints are commonly used in currently preserved objects of wooden architecture. All connections have been modelled in pinewood, which has been defined in the Finite Element software MSC.Marc/Mentat...
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Influence of Wood Moisture on Strength and Elastic Modulus for Pine and Fir Wood Subjected to 4-point Bending Tests
PublicationThe main purpose of this research paper was to determine the influence of the wood moisture on the strength and elastic modulus of pine and fir wood specimens subjected to the 4-point bending tests. Six bending tests for each wood species and for two different moisture level have been performed. Then, the advanced statistical analysis of the results has been carried out. On the basis of the obtained results, it has been noted that...
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Membrane model of human abdominal wall. Simulations vs. in vivo measurements
PublicationThe study presents a methodology of defining a numerical model of human abdominal wall based on the experimentally registered data of the abdomen geometry due to variations of the intraabdominal pressure. The abdominal wall is modelled here as a simple homogeneous membrane structure made of linear orthotropic material The displacements registered during the increase of pressure are compared with the re-sults of the model static...
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NUMERICAL MODELLING AND EXPERIMENTATION OF HISTORICAL CARPENTRY CORNER LOG JOINTS
PublicationThe main purpose of this research is to determine the stress distributions on the contact surfaces between the logs of the historical carpentry corner joints. The additional purpose is to compare the stress distribution for four different boundary conditions in the case of dry and wet pine wood. The paper presents the results of numerical analysis of the shortcorner dovetail connection and the saddle notch corner joint, which are...
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Sensitivity analysis based on non-intrusive regression-based polynomial chaos expansion for surgical mesh modelling
PublicationThe modelling of a system containing implants used in ventral hernia repair and human tissue suffers from many uncertainties. Thus, a probabilistic approach is needed. The goal of this study is to define an efficient numerical method to solve non-linear biomechanical models supporting the surgeon in decisions about ventral hernia repair. The model parameters are subject to substantial variability owing to, e.g., abdominal wall...
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Surface sliding in human abdominal wall numerical models: Comparison of single-surface and multi-surface composites
PublicationDetermining mechanical properties of abdominal soft tissues requires a coupled experimental-numerical study, but first an appropriate numerical model needs to be built. Precise modeling of human abdominal wall mechanics is difficult because of its complicated multi-layer composition and large variation between specimens. There are several approaches concerning simplification of numerical models, but it is unclear how far one could...
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Towards Understanding of Mechanics of Hernia Managed by Synthetic Mesh in Laparoscopic Operation: A Single Case Study
PublicationIn this paper a research towards understanding of mechanics of ventral hernia operated with the use of Physiomesh Open image in new window implant and SecureStrap Open image in new window staples is described. Experimental and numerical studies are conducted for that purpose. Experimental works cover uni-axial tension tests of the implant samples and of the implant-staples-tissue system. Also experiments on implant-staples-tissue...
Year 2017
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Dynamic Research of Masonry Vault in a Technical Scale
PublicationThe paper presents preliminary results of dynamic tests of the masonry barrel vault in a technical scale. Experimental studies are intended to identify material properties of homogenized masonry vaults under dynamic loads. The aim of the work is to create numerical models to analyse vault’s dynamic response to dynamic loads in a simplest and accurate way. The process of building the vault in a technical scale is presented in the...
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Regression points in non-intrusive polynomial chaos expansion method and D-optimal design
PublicationThe paper addresses selected issues of uncertainty quantification in the modelling of a system containing surgical mesh used in ventral hernia repair. Uncertainties in the models occur e.g. due to variability of abdominal wall properties among others. In order to include them, a non-intrusive regression-based polynomial chaos expansion method is employed. Its accuracy depends on the choice of regression points. In the study a relation...
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Two-criteria optimisation problem for ventral hernia repair
PublicationTwo-criteria optimisation problem related to laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is formulated in this paper. An optimal implant from a given set and its orientation is sought. The implant is subjected to kinematic extortions due to a patient’s body movement and intra-abdominal pressure. The first criterion of the optimisation problem deals with the reaction force in the implant fastener, while the deflection of the implant constitutes...
Year 2016
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A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE OPTIMAL CHOICE OF AN IMPLANT AND ITS ORIENTATION IN VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR
PublicationThis paper addresses the problem of ventral hernia repair. The main goals are to find an optimal surgical mesh for hernia repair and to define its optimal orientation in the abdominal wall to minimise the maximum force at the tissue-implant juncture. The optimal mesh is chosen from a set of orthotropic meshes with different stiffness ratios for typical hernia placement in the abdominal area. The implant is subjected to an anisotropic...
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MATLAB i jego środowisko
PublicationMATLAB jest pakietem obliczeniowym i programistycznym przygotowanym przede wszystkim do obliczeń numerycznych, analizy danych i wizualizacji wyników. Pakiet stanowi środowisko wyposażone w wiele narzędzi obliczeniowych i graficznych działających na bazie predefiniowanych funkcji oraz język programowania umożliwiający tworzenie własnych skryptów. Podstawowym typem danych w języku MATLAB jest macierz (matrix). Stąd nazwa MATrix...
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Mechanical properties of mosquito nets in the context of hernia repair
PublicationThe paper deals with issue of applying mosquito nets as implants in hernia repair, which have already been used in resource-poor developing countries. Uniaxial tensile tests have been conducted on polyester mosquito meshes in two orthogonal directions. Non-linear elastic constitutive laws parameters have been identified to be applied in dense net material models. Mechanical performance of tested mosquito nets has been compared...
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Safety and efficacy of a Ventralight ST echo ps implant for a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair – a prospective cohort study with a one-year follow-up
Publicationing new products Thus, every mesh prior to introduction in clinical settings should be tested with a dedicated tacker to discover the proper fixation algorithm. The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the Ventralight ST implant with an ECHO positioning system and a dedicated fixation device, the SorbaFix stapler, in a prospective cohort of patients. Material and methods. The study was a prospective single...
Year 2015
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Behaviour of orthotropic surgical implant in hernia repair due to the material orientation and abdomen surface deformation
Publicationrelation to the different range of typical deformations observed in different directions and zones of abdomen surface due to the patients’ life activities, has a significant influence on the extreme junction forces in the mesh–tissue connections and hence the repair persistence. The finite element model of the orthotropic implant was developed, and the junction forces in the connections of tissue and mesh were studied. The kinematical...
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Mathematical modelling of implant in an operated hernia for estimation of the repair persistence
PublicationThis paper presents mathematical modelling of an implanted surgical mesh used in the repair process of the abdominal hernia. The synthetic implant is simulated by a membrane structure. The author provides a material modelling of the implant based on the dense net model appropriate for technical fabrics. The accuracy of the proposed solution is evaluated by comparing the simulations of the dynamic behaviour of the system with the...
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Strength parameters of masonry walls in modelling historic constructions
PublicationThe paper presents the determination of the basic material properties of a historic brickwork. Experimental studies were used to identify the basic material properties of bricks. The mechanical properties of the masonry, as an orthotropic homogenized material, were calculated. Then, numerical simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM) were performed to verify the experimental outcomes. Macromodels with element sizes of 40,...
Year 2014
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Cough influence on fascia-mesh system built for a hernia repair - an experimental research
PublicationAn experimental approach to identify stronger and weaker fixation schemes in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is presented in the paper. Two types of implants, whose mechanical properties are significantly different and five kinds of connectors are considered. Physical models of operated hernia have been built using those materials and porcine abdominal tissue. The models have been subjected to dynamic impulse load, similar to...
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Mechanical compatibility of implants used in hernia repair with abdominal wall
PublicationThe paper deals with a membrane model of a synthetic surgical mesh for treatment of abdominal hernia. The authors analyse the compatibility of two implant types with the human wall: Dualmesh Gore and Proceed. The finite element method is applied to simulate tjhe behavior of the proposed model. Due fact that recurrences are usually caused by connection failure, this study is focused on reaction forces in supports representing the...
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SIMULATION OF PROCEED® SURGICAL MESH APPLIED TO VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR
PublicationIn the present research, Proceed® implant is considered. The system is subjected to short-time dynamic pressure load, similar to post-operative cough naturally occurring in human abdomen. The model refers to a clinical case of 5cm of hernia operated by Proceed implant fixed by 15 joints every 3cm around the orifice. The simulations of the implanted mesh are performed by means of the Finite Element Method. The implant is modelled...
Year 2013
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IMPLANT USED IN HERNIA REPAIR UNDER PHYSIOLOGICAL MOVEMENTS OF HUMAN ABDOMEN
PublicationThe study deals with the mechanical behaviour of implant used in repair of abdominal hernia. The influence of orientation of the orthotropic implants in different areas of abdominal wall is studied.
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Mechanical behaviour of the implant used in human hernia repair under physiological loads
PublicationIn laparoscopic operations of abdominal hernias some recurrences still take place, even when applying a surgical mesh. This is usually caused by a failure of the connection between the tissue and the implant. The study deals with the influence of an implant’s orientation on forces in joints, which connect the mesh to human tissues. In the paper, the implant is modelled as a membrane structure within framework of the Finite Element...
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Physical and mathematical modelling of implant-fascia system in order to improve laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia
PublicationThis paper describes an investigation of biomechanical behaviour of hernia repair, which is focused on the selection of safe linking of certain type of implant with fascia in laparoscopic operation. The strength of various fixations of the implant to the fascia is analysed. Methods: The research is based on experimental observations of operated hernia model behaviour during a dynamic impulse load corresponding to post-operative...
Year 2012
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Biomechanics of the front abdominal wall as a potential factorleading to recurrence with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair
PublicationThis study investigated the front abdominal wallto describe its elasticity in vivo and searched for elongationsthat possibly stretched an implanted mesh, therebycausing fixation failure and subsequent recurrence.To measure front abdominal wall elongations, amodel of fascia movements was created. Eight healthyvolunteers were measured during exercise to determine theextent of elongations in their front abdominal wall. Videoswere...
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Dynamics of mechanical model of implant-tissue system in ventral hernia repair
PublicationThe paper deals with a finite element modelling of implants in the problem of ventral hernia repair. The synthetic mesh implanted in the abdomen during surgery is here modelled as a membrane structure. Thesystem undergoes the internal abdominal pressure that occurs during the postoperative cough, the load identified in the literature as the main cause of the connection failure and hernia recurrence. The model can be used to estimate...
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Experimentation, material modelling and simulation of bonded joints with a flexible adhesive
PublicationThe paper deals with material parameters identification of a flexible adhesive and the numerical simulation of its behaviour in a single lap bonded joint. The material modelling was based on the simple shear and tensile-shear laboratory tests of the bonded joints made of thin aluminium and polyurethane plates with the flexible adhesive Terostat MS 9360 manufactured by Henkel AG & Co. The adhesive was considered as a hyperelastic...
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