Figure 3. CPA concentration profiles within meniscal specimens using a μCT imaging-based simulation method.

(A) Scanned transverse section (green area in the insert figure) at half thickness with the calibration curve for meniscal specimens equilibrated in different VS55 solutions (N=3, n=12 for samples equilibrated in 0% VS55; N=n=3 for other conditions). (B) Pseudocolor μCT images of meniscal tissues equilibrated in different concentrations of VS55 solutions. (C) A pseudocolor μCT image (left) alongside a computational image (right) of a 3.496 mm thick VS55-loaded sample. (D) Concentration profiles of the same VS55-loaded sample using both computational modeling and the μCT curve, with a best-fit diffusivity value of 4.6×10⁻¹⁰ m²/s (R²=0.9696). (E) Diffusivity values of VS55 at 0°C (N=3; n=9) and 22°C (N=3; n=6) with a two-sided t-test for significance. Data are mean±SD. Panels (F) and (G) depict VS55 distribution after loading samples of varying thicknesses and loading times at 0°C. Solid lines represent experimental conditions for viability assessment; dashed lines represent simulated conditions. (H) Representative validation of VS55 distribution in a 3.443 thick meniscal specimen after a 1-hour stepwise loading period (10 min each step) at 0°C using modeling (D=3.82×10⁻¹⁰ m²/s). N = number of independent menisci; n = number of specimens.