On Passive Multiaxial Mechanical Response of Lymphatic Vessels

Characterization of multiaxial mechanical response of vascular soft tissue is an essential step to develop engineered tissue and novel devices to treat various cardiovascular pathologies. Although numerous studies have been conducted to characterize blood vessels, little attention has been paid to lymphatic vessels that play a prominent role in interstitial fluid balance and immune response. Pressure diameter tests at different axial stretches and extension tests at different transmural pressure were carried out on bovine mesenteric lymphatic vessels obtained from local slaughterhouse. Tests were carried out using a custom made computer controlled inflation‐extension device at room temperature within 4hr of harvesting. PBS was used as perfusion medium and to ensure passive behavior. The response, as in the case of blood vessels, is nonlinear, anisotropic and viscoelastic. The results from pressure diameter test ( Fig) show that the response in hoop direction is dependent on axial stretch. The vessel gets less compliant in hoop direction with increase in axial length. Also it is evident that the vessels are more compliant in hoop direction than in axial direction. It is interesting to note that the response in axial direction does not show any definite trend with change in transmural pressure ( Fig 2). AHA‐0365127Y 1:Hoop Stress vs Hoop Strech2:Axial Stress vs Axial