A computer-controlled apparatus for in vitro mechanical stimulation and characterization of ligaments

A system has been developed to study in vitro the effects of mechanical stimulation on the biomechanical properties of ligaments. The apparatus is based on a ball screw driven by a microcomputer-controlled stepper motor capable of generating 100 Newtons of traction, the resulting force in the tissue is monitored in real-time acquisition by a load cell. It is programmed to perform virtually any kind of mechanical stimulation or biomechanical characterization tests. Preliminary tests on canine anterior cruciate ligaments indicate that this system is adequate for a variety of mechanical stimulations and characterization assays.