title: Design and Validation of a Vacuum Assisted Anchorage for the Uniaxial Tensile Testing of Soft Materials.
abstract: Current commercial tensile testing systems use spring-loaded or other compression-based grips to clamp materials in place posing a problem for very soft or delicate materials that cannot withstand this mechanical clamping force. In order to perform uniaxial tensile tests on soft tissues or materials, we have created a novel vacuum-assisted anchor (VAA). Fibrin gels were subjected to uniaxial extension, and the testing data was used to determine material mechanical properties. Utilizing the VAA, we achieved successful tensile breaks of soft fibrin gels while finding statistically significant differences between the mechanical properties of gels fabricated at two different fibrinogen concentrations.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors: Kory J
authors: KJ
authors: Blose
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Center for Vascular Remodeling and Regeneration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors: Joseph E
authors: JE
authors: Pichamuthu
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors: Justin S
authors: JS
authors: Weinbaum
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Center for Vascular Remodeling and Regeneration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Vorp
keywords: elastic modulus; failure; fibrin; soft materials; tensile testing; tissue grip