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Published on: August 2, 2017
Utilizing cryogenic grips for dynamic tension testing of human placenta tissue
Sarah Manoogian1, Craig McNally, Britt Calloway
1Virginia Tech-Wake Forest Center for Injury Biomechanics, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|May 10, 2007
Summary
Researchers developed a new method using cryogenic grips to test placental tissue under simulated crash conditions. This allows for more accurate material property data for computational models of pregnant occupants in motor vehicle crashes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Placental abruption in motor vehicle crashes is a leading cause of fetal mortality.
- Current computational models rely on outdated quasi-static loading data for placental tissue.
- Dynamic material properties of placenta are needed for accurate crash simulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for testing placental tissue under dynamic loading rates.
- To acquire accurate material properties of placenta for computational models.
- To improve the simulation of pregnant occupant kinematics in motor vehicle crashes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cryogenic grips for uniaxial tensile testing of placental specimens.
- Adapted grips to secure tissue throughout its thickness, preventing slippage during dynamic tests.
- Validated grip performance with video analysis and compared local and global strain measures.
Main Results:
- Cryogenic grips effectively secured placental tissue during dynamic tensile testing.
- Tissue failure occurred within the intended active test area.
- Local and global strain measures confirmed uniform tissue deformation.
- The method proved to be low-cost and effective for thick soft tissue testing.
Conclusions:
- The developed cryogenic grip methodology enables dynamic testing of placental tissue.
- Acquired material properties can enhance the accuracy of computational models for pregnant occupants.
- This research contributes to understanding and mitigating fetal injury in motor vehicle crashes.
