Development of Biofidelic Skin Simulants Based on Fresh Cadaveric Skin Tests

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Mimicry
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate human skin mimicry is vital for surgical training, biomechanical testing, and injury research.
• Existing materials like gelatin, PDMS, and animal skins have limitations in replicating human skin's complex properties.
• Ethical and biosafety concerns also limit the use of traditional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize advanced artificial skin simulants.
• To replicate the mechanical properties of human skin using novel materials.
• To provide an ethical and practical alternative to cadaveric skin.

Main Methods:

• Uniaxial tensile tests were performed on cadaveric skin to obtain stress-strain data.
• Advanced skin simulants were formulated using a cost-effective, moldable, multi-part silicone-based polymer.
• The non-linear mechanical behavior of the simulants was characterized using Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, and Yeoh hyperelastic models.

Main Results:

• The developed silicone-based skin simulants accurately replicated the mechanical behavior of human skin.
• The material formulation proved cost-effective and moldable for practical applications.
• Hyperelastic models successfully characterized the non-linear mechanical response of the simulants.

Conclusions:

• The novel silicone-based skin simulants offer a viable, ethical, and cost-effective alternative to cadaveric skin.
• These simulants can be utilized in various laboratory and clinical settings for training and research.
• Further research can explore broader applications and material optimizations.