Abstract
Biphasic continuum models have been extensively deployed for modeling macroscopic articular cartilage biomechanics [1,2]. This consolidated theoretical approach schematizes tissue as a mixture of an elastic solid matrix embedded in a fluid phase. In physiological conditions, intrinsic compressibility of each phase is very limited when compared to the whole tissue macroscopic counterpart. Based on such experimental evidence, intrinsic phase compressibility is generally reasonably neglected [3]. Hence, traditionally, cartilage biomechanics models have been developed on the basis of incompressible biphasic formulations [3–5], often referred to as Incompressible Theories of Mixtures (ITM). Alternatively, a more general biphasic model for cartilage biomechanics, accounting for full intrinsic compressibility of phases, may be considered. A consistent theoretical formulation of this type has been recently made available [6,7], hereby referred to as Theory of Microscopically Compressible Porous Media (TMCPM). In the present contribution, a new model for articular cartilage biomechanics, based on TMCPM, was developed. Predictions of this new model, and its deviations from a traditional ITM approach were studied. In particular, deviations between compressible and incompressible theoretical frameworks were investigated with a specific focus on the repercussions on models’ capability of characterizing fundamental tissue properties, such as hydraulic permeability, via established experimental testing procedures.