The mechanical properties of skin are important for a number of applications including surgery, dermatology, impact biomechanics and forensic science. In this study we have investigated the influence of location and orientation on the deformation characteristics of 56 samples of excised human skin. Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out at a strain rate of 0.012s −1 on skin from the back. Digital Image Correlation was used for 2D strain measurement and a histological examination of the dermis was also performed. The mean ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was 21.6±8.4MPa, the mean failure strain 54±17%, the mean initial slope 1.18±0.88MPa, the mean elastic modulus 83.3±34.9MPa and the mean strain energy was 3.6±1.6MJ/m 3 . A multivariate analysis of variance has shown that these mechanical properties of skin are dependent upon the orientation of Langer lines (P<0.0001-P=0.046). The location of specimens on the back was also found to have a significant effect on the UTS (P =0.0002), the elastic modulus (P=0.001) and the strain energy (P=0.0052). The histological investigation concluded that there is a definite correlation between the orientation of Langer Lines and the preferred orientation of collagen fibres in the dermis (P<0.001). The data obtained in this study will provide essential information for those wishing to model the skin using a structural constitutive model.

Collagen fibres play an important role in the mechanical behaviour of many soft tissues. Modelling of such tissues now often incorporates a collagen fibre distribution. However, the availability of accurate structural data has so far lagged behind the progress of anisotropic constitutive modelling. Here, an automated process is developed to identify the orientation of collagen fibres using inexpensive and relatively simple techniques. The method uses established histological techniques and an algorithm implemented in the MATLAB image processing toolbox. It takes an average of 15 s to evaluate one image, compared to several hours if assessed visually. The technique was applied to histological sections of human skin with different Langer line orientations and a definite correlation between the orientation of Langer lines and the preferred orientation of collagen fibres in the dermis (p < 0.001, R(2) = 0.95) was observed. The structural parameters of the Gasser-Ogden-Holzapfel (GOH) model were all successfully evaluated. The mean dispersion factor for the dermis was κ = 0.1404±0.0028. The constitutive parameters μ, k(1) and k(2) were evaluated through physically-based, least squares curve-fitting of experimental test data. The values found for μ, k(1) and k(2) were 0.2014 MPa, 243.6 and 0.1327, respectively. Finally, the above model was implemented in ABAQUS/Standard and a finite element (FE) computation was performed of uniaxial extension tests on human skin. It is expected that the results of this study will assist those wishing to model skin, and that the algorithm described will be of benefit to those who wish to evaluate the collagen dispersion of other soft tissues.

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24 pagesInternational audienceIn this paper the equations governing the deformations of infinitesimal (incremental) disturbances superimposed on finite static deformation fields involving magnetic and elastic interactions are presented. The coupling between the equations of mechanical equilibrium and Maxwell's equations complicates the incremental formulation and particular attention is therefore paid to the derivation of the incremental equations, of the tensors of magnetoelastic moduli and of the incremental boundary conditions at a magnetoelastic/vacuum interface. The problem of surface stability for a solid half-space under plane strain with a magnetic field normal to its surface is used to illustrate the general results. The analysis involved leads to the simultaneous resolution of a bicubic and vanishing of a 7x7 determinant. In order to provide specific demonstration of the effect of the magnetic field, the material model is specialized to that of a "magnetoelastic Mooney-Rivlin solid". Depending on the magnitudes of the magnetic field and the magnetoelastic coupling parameters, this shows that the half-space may become either more stable or less stable than in the absence of a magnetic field

Abstract-In this study we have investigated in influence of location, gender and orientation on the deformation characteristics of 55 samples of human excised skin. Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out at a strain rate of 0.012s -1 on excised human skin from the back. The deformation characteristics of skin (Ultimate Tensile Strength (P<0.0001), Failure Strain (P=0.0177), Young's Modulus (P<0.0076), Initial Slope (P=0.0375) and Strain Energy (P=0.0101)) were found to be dependent upon the orientation of specimens with respect to the Langer's Lines. The location of specimens on the back was also found to have a significant effect on the Ultimate Tensile Strength (P =0.0002), the Young's Modulus (P=0.0017) and the Strain Energy (P=0.005).

The Stroh formalism is applied to the analysis of infinitesimal surface wave propagation in a statically, finitely and homogeneously deformed isotropic half-space. The free surface is assumed to coincide with one of the principal planes of the primary strain, but a propagating surface wave is not restricted to a principal direction. A variant of Taziev's technique [Sov. Phys. Acoust. 35 (1989) 535] is used to obtain an explicit expression of the secular equation for the surface wave speed, which possesses no restrictions on the form of the strain energy function. Albeit powerful, this method does not produce a unique solution and additional checks are necessary. However, a class of materials is presented for which an exact secular equation for the surface wave speed can be formulated. This class includes the well-known Mooney-Rivlin model. The main results are illustrated with several numerical examples

The design of meshes for the treatment of incisional hernias could benefit from better knowledge of the mechanical response of the abdominal wall and how this response is affected by the implant. The aim of this study was to characterise the mechanical behaviour of the human abdominal wall. Abdominal walls were tested ex vivo in three states: intact, after creation of a defect simulating an incisional hernia, and after reparation with a mesh implanted intraperitonally. For each state, the abdominal wall was subjected to air pressure loading. Local strain fields were determined using digital image correlation techniques. The strain fields on the internal and external surfaces of the abdominal wall exhibited different patterns. The strain patterns on the internal surface appeared to be related to the underlying anatomy of the abdominal wall. Higher strains were observed along the linea alba than along the perpendicular direction. Under pressure loading, the created incision increased the strain of the abdominal wall compared to the intact state in 5 cases of a total 6. In addition, the mesh repair decreased the strains of the abdominal wall compared to the incised state in 4 cases of 6. These results suggest that the intraperitoneal mesh restores at least partially the mechanical behaviour of the wall and provides quantification of the effects on the strains in various regions.

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