Prediction of mechanical behaviour from histology in thin collagenous tissues

A method of generating a rough, robust estimate of tensile modulus, elongation at break, and tear out of tissue from histology for the purpose of accelerating medical device and simulator design is presented. The known properties of the individual structural components of tissue are utilized by organizing these components according to existing histological data. This method was able to predict the elastic modulus of esophageal tissue by layer and direction with accuracy close to the standard deviation of the tissue properties, to provide a robust upper limit on tear out force for small (< 0.2mm or 3-0) sutures or clips, and predict force distribution between the layers during tear out.