A method for analysis of bending and shearing deformations in biological tissue

This paper describes a theoretical and experimental approach to the analysis of the deformations of a thin biological tissue. A biological tissue undergoes complex deformations during which normal and shearing strains are produced. These strains can be very large and yet be within the elastic range of the material. The procedure described is demonstrated for the pericardium used in making bioprosthetic heart valves. It is observed that the pericardium exhibits a directional property in which the shearing deformations occur in one direction but not in the opposite direction. By the application of the proposed method, modes of deformation can be determined and modes of failure predicted.