Mechanical Characterization of Biological Tissues: Experimental Methods Based on Mathematical Modeling

Purpose To illustrate a systematic procedure for mechanical characterization or mechanical behavior of biological tissues with a semi-empirical method based on mathematical models. Methods The method is composed of a series of procedures: construction of cell elements on the specimen, image processing, continuum mechanics, hyperelasticity and so on. An element used in the method, which is similar to finite element methods, is defined by placing markers on the specimen. The change of the locations of the element during a motion is monitored to calculate the displacement for stress estimation owing to external impacts or forces. Results The validity of the method for mechanical characterization or mechanical behavior of biological tissues is shown through material test simulations with mathematical models, resulting in good agreement overall. Conclusions A general review of mathematical modeling of biological tissues is served and a semi-empirical method, which makes good use of both finite element methods and mathematical models based on the phenomenological modeling technique, is introduced to assess the stress-strain responses of biological tissues subjected mechanical loadings.