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Three-Point Bending Device for flexure testing of soft tissues | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Three-Point Bending Device for flexure testing of soft tissues


Abstract:

This 3-Point Bending Device is intended to provide the user with a novel tool used to obtain material property information for biological tissues. Specifically, the devic...Show More

Abstract:

This 3-Point Bending Device is intended to provide the user with a novel tool used to obtain material property information for biological tissues. Specifically, the device is intended to provide the user with the stress-strain relationship of the tested tissue in the low-strain region (≪5% strain) and provide the location of the neutral axis. The stress-strain relationship is useful because it allows the user to predict the response of tissue to an applied load. The location of the neutral axis is important because it allows the user to estimate the contributions of different layers in a multi-layered tissue specimen. No patented device or device described in the literature is capable of carrying out both of these functions.
Date of Conference: 03-05 April 2009
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 26 May 2009
ISBN Information:

ISSN Information:

Conference Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

1. Introduction

An understanding of the mechanical properties of soft tissues can lead to better comprehension of tissue pathologies and how the tissue reacts, mechanically, towards an implant. Because the mechanical properties, such as stress, of soft tissues cannot be measured directly in vivo, a finite element method will be required to accurately estimate the stress distribution and simulate the interactions between the implant and host tissue. This requires comprehensive and accurate quantitative information on tissue material behavior [5]. Experimental testing is, thus, necessary to provide data for the quantification and characterization of soft tissues. This can usually be accomplished through tensile mechanical testing, such as uniaxial or biaxial testing [4]. Uniaxial testing involves loading of a tissue specimen in one direction, whereas biaxial testing is loading of the specimen in two axes. Tensile mechanical testing, however, is limited in that it cannot provide accurate quantification of the mechanical behavior of soft tissues in the low strain region and with different layers of fibers. Flexure testing, on the contrary, is an effective method of evaluating the force-deformation relationship of different layers of soft tissues. It can complement tensile mechanical testing with its ability to measure the mechanical behavior of soft tissues experiencing very little stress and strain.

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References

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