A novel experimental procedure based on pure shear testing of dermatome-cut samples applied to porcine skin.
This paper communicates a novel and robust method for the mechanical testing of thin layers of soft biological tissues with particular application to porcine skin. The key features include the use of a surgical dermatome and the highly defined deformation kinematics achieved by pure shear testing. Thin specimens of accurate thickness were prepared using a dermatome and were subjected to different quasi-static and dynamic loading protocols. Although simple in its experimental realisation, pure shear testing provides a number of advantages over other classic uni- and biaxial testing procedures. The preparation of thin specimens of porcine dermis, the mechanical tests as well as first representative results are described and discussed in detail. The results indicate a pronounced anisotropy between the directions along and across the cleavage lines and a strain rate-dependent response.
Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland. mhollenstein@ethz.ch
Marc
M
Hollenstein
Alexander E
AE
Ehret
Mikhail
M
Itskov
Edoardo
E
Mazza
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013552:Swine; D014783:Viscosity