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Human Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Sampling Using a Mini-Liposuction Technique
Published on: September 27, 2021
Does subcutaneous adipose tissue behave as an (anti-)thixotropic material?
Marion Geerligs1, Gerrit W M Peters, Paul A J Ackermans
1Care & Health Applications, Philips Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. marion.geerligs@philips.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|February 23, 2010
Summary
Adipose tissue mechanical properties change over time and with strain. This study provides experimental data suggesting adipose tissue behaves as an (anti-)thixotropic material, crucial for developing accurate biomechanical models.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Subcutaneous adipose tissue experiences significant daily deformations.
- Current mechanical models inadequately describe load transfer in adipose tissue.
- Developing a non-linear mechanical model requires comprehensive experimental data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term mechanical behavior of adipose tissue under small strain.
- To analyze adipose tissue's response to various large strain profiles.
- To gather data for a non-linear mechanical model of adipose tissue.
Main Methods:
- Experimental examination of adipose tissue under small and large strain conditions.
- Measurement of shear modulus changes over loading and recovery periods.
- Analysis of stress-strain responses across different strain histories and magnitudes.
Main Results:
- Shear modulus increased by an order of magnitude after 250-1250s loading, returning to baseline within 3h.
- Stress-strain responses were reproducible up to 0.15 strain.
- Above 0.3 strain, tissue structure altered, making stress strain-independent.
Conclusions:
- Adipose tissue exhibits (anti-)thixotropic material behavior.
- A Mooney-Rivlin model may be suitable for simulating high-strain behavior.
- Further research is needed to confirm (anti-)thixotropic properties for model development.
