A Systems Approach to Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Biotransport

Abstract

The human body represents a collection of interacting systems that range in scale from nanometers to meters. Investigations from a systems perspective focus on how the parts work together to enact changes across spatial scales, and further our understanding of how systems function and fail. Here, we highlight systems approaches presented at the 2022 Summer Biomechanics, Bio-engineering, and Biotransport Conference in the areas of solid mechanics; fluid mechanics; tissue and cellular engineering; biotransport; and design, dynamics, and rehabilitation; and biomechanics education. Systems approaches are yielding new insights into human biology by leveraging state-of-the-art tools, which could ultimately lead to more informed design of therapies and medical devices for preventing and treating disease as well as rehabilitating patients using strategies that are uniquely optimized for each patient. Educational approaches can also be designed to foster a foundation of systems-level thinking.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

A systems-level look at the components required to produce a heartbeat and pump blood around the body

Fig. 2

A chemo-mechanical-biological model of cartilage evolving in health and disease [33]. Normalized quantities of (a) structural components (living chondrocytes, collagen, and proteoglycan), (b) cytokines and growth factors (collagenase, aggrecanase, TIMP, latent growth factor, and latent pro-inflammatory cytokines), (c) active growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and (d) cartilage thickness. Dashed and solid lines represent normal physiological loading and reduced loading/immobilization, respectively. The model response to mechanical overloading is not shown. Asterisks with error bars represent corresponding experimental data from Vanwanseele et al. [135].

Fig. 3

Schematic illustration of a systems approach to cardiovascular fluid mechanics simulations via advanced boundary conditions often used with computational growth, and remodeling studies. Left: an open-loop approach is shown with discretized model geometry and an ascending aorta flow waveform extracted from patient phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI) data imposed at the inlet, and three-element Windkessel representations applied at outlets. Outlets shown include the right (RSA) and left (LSA) subclavian arteries, right (RCA) and left (LCCA) common carotid arteries, right (RPA) and left (LPA) pulmonary arteries, and descending thoracic aorta (DAo). Right: a closed-loop lumped parameter network is shown with a single ventricle cardiac model coupled to the discretized model geometry. In addition to model outlets, the closed-loop representation includes the left pulmonary bed (LPB), right pulmonary bed (RPB), lower body bed (LBB), upper body bed (UBB), as well as a single ventricle cardiac model. Adapted from Blanch-Granada et al. [136].

Fig. 4

Interactions to consider in a systems approach to design, dynamics, and rehabilitation [,–110]