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In this work, a bone adaptation law based on fully coupled stimulus function taking into account strain–damage effects and spatial function influence based on ruptured osteocytes processes concept have been developed and implemented into Abaqus code. Contrary to previous works where the spatial function was considered without damage influence, in the present model, we propose a novel idea to describe osteocytes ruptured processes using damaged spatial function. Also, the stimulus reference value for bone resorption threshold is considered cycles depending variable and an experimental fitted relation between the strain reference value and the cycle’s number was proposed. In order to reduce the computation time, the integration of the damage growth rate is based on the cycle blocks approach. The idea is that the real cycles number are reduced (divided) into equivalent cycles blocks. Damage accumulation is computed over the cycles blocks and extrapolated over the real correspond cycles. To illustrate the capabilities of the remodeling algorithm, four mechano-regulation laws have been implemented and tested corresponding to four stimuli functions: (i) strain based stimulus without damage influence, (ii) fully coupled strain–damage without spatial function influence, (iii) fully coupled strain–damage with non damaged spatial function influence and (iv) fully coupled strain–damage with damaged spatial function influence.

Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation techniques play a role of crucial relevance in the clinical practice. In spite of their consolidated use, little is reported in the literature to provide a mechanobiological explanation on how design of fixation devices can affect the healing process within fractured vertebrae.

Cardiovascular tissue engineering (CVTE) aims to create living tissues, with the ability to grow and remodel, as replacements for diseased blood vessels and heart valves. Despite promising results, the (long-term) functionality of these engineered tissues still needs improvement to reach broad clinical application. The functionality of native tissues is ensured by their specific mechanical properties directly arising from tissue organization. We therefore hypothesize that establishing a native-like tissue organization is vital to overcome the limitations of current CVTE approaches. To achieve this aim, a better understanding of the growth and remodeling (G&R) mechanisms of cardiovascular tissues is necessary. Cells are the main mediators of tissue G&R, and their behavior is strongly influenced by both mechanical stimuli and cell–cell signaling. An increasing number of signaling pathways has also been identified as mechanosensitive. As such, they may have a key underlying role in regulating the G&R of tissues in response to mechanical stimuli. A more detailed understanding of mechano-regulated cell–cell signaling may thus be crucial to advance CVTE, as it could inspire new methods to control tissue G&R and improve the organization and functionality of engineered tissues, thereby accelerating clinical translation. In this review, we discuss the organization and biomechanics of native cardiovascular tissues; recent CVTE studies emphasizing the obtained engineered tissue organization; and the interplay between mechanical stimuli, cell behavior, and cell–cell signaling. In addition, we review past contributions of computational models in understanding and predicting mechano-regulated tissue G&R and cell–cell signaling to highlight their potential role in future CVTE strategies.