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A New Method to Evaluate the Biomechanical Properties of Skin in a Porcine Model
Author(s) -
Corr D.T.,
Zou J.,
Wang J.F.,
GallantBehm C.L.,
Hart D.A.,
Shrive N.G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
wound repair and regeneration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.847
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1524-475X
pISSN - 1067-1927
DOI - 10.1111/j.1067-1927.2005.130216af.x
Subject(s) - materials science , biomedical engineering , universal testing machine , ultimate tensile strength , transverse plane , tensile testing , viscoelasticity , isometric exercise , tension (geology) , slippage , gauge (firearms) , artificial skin , sarcomere , uniaxial tension , anatomy , composite material , medicine , myocyte , endocrinology , metallurgy , physical therapy
Aims: A method to test the axial and transverse tensile properties of skin was developed in order to improve our understanding of the mechanical behavior of skin, and how it changes with the scarring response. This experimental technique was used to investigate the bidirectional mechanics of skin in the juvenile Yorkshire pig model. Methods: Skin samples were taken upon sacrifice, and all subcutaneous tissue was carefully removed via dissection. Dumbbell‐shaped specimens were obtained from the skin using a custom designed stainless steel punch, to provide consistent geometry, and to avoid stress concentrations that can result from specimen gripping. Samples were taken in the axial (cranial‐caudal) and transverse (dorsal‐ventral) directions. Specimens were secured in an INSTRON universal test machine with serrated soft tissue grips, elongated to a desired preload, subjected to a 10% elongation and held for a 4‐min isometric period. They were then returned to the original length and failed in tension at constant velocity. Results: This method of sample preparation indicated high repeatability in specimen geometry, showing standard deviations of 2% and 3% in gauge length and width, respectively (N = 12). Furthermore, no slippage was observed at the skin/grip interface, and all failures occurred within the specimen gauge length. Conclusions: This technique shows great promise for evaluating the viscoelastic and failure properties of skin, scar tissue, and pathologic scarring. Combining this biomechanical method with our parallel studies in molecular biology and biochemistry can likely produce correlations between constituent material organization and the mechanical properties of the tissue, as well as provide valuable information for the design of bioengineered tissue constructs. Acknowledgments: Alberta Ingenuity Fund, CIHR, and NSERC