New Finite Element Method Modeling for contractile Forces of Cardiomyocytes on Hybrid Biopolymer Microcantilevers

Abstract

New and novel Finite Element Method (FEM) model for contraction of cardiomyocytes on PDMS microcantilevers was studied. In new FEM model, contractile force of cardiomyocytes was considered as internal stress generated by themselves, not as interfacial force exerted externally. Also, random distribution of cardiomyocytes in FEM model was implemented through quantification of real distribution of cardiomyocytes on microcantilever by means of analysis of fluorescent image. From the result of FEM analysis using new model, the vertical deflection of PDMS microcantilever was almost in proportion to the portion of cardiomyocyte on the surface of microcantilever and then improved as compared with odd result of FEM analysis using previous model. The simulated vertical deflection of microcantilever for 2 similar to 5nN/um(2) of contractile force using new modeling for FEM coincided well with those of analytical solution and experimental data in tendency and shape of graph.