Characterization of the anisotropic mechanical properties of excised human skin

Abstract

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.

On the Importance of 3D, Geometrically Accurate, and Subject-Specific Finite Element Analysis for Evaluation of in-Vivo Soft Tissue Loads

“…For skin and muscle tissue, the parameters were manually adjusted to obtain qualitatively realistic contact pressures and deformation characteristics. The final and values for skin and muscle were consistent with ranges presented in the literature [19] [2]. In addition, for muscle tissue the and values produce behaviour in close agreement with [13].…”

Sorbitol-Plasticized and Neutralized Chitosan Membranes as Skin Substitutes

“…Although tensile strength had been decreased by plasticizer addition, it still can be considerate for wound dressing, since average tensile strength of normal skin is 21.6 ± 8.4 MPa and the tensile strength of wounds used to be lower than the normal skin one, varying during the wound healing process 23 . …”

A novel method for visualising and quantifying through-plane skin layer deformations

“…From a mechanical point of view, skin is characterised by (non-)linear viscoelastic, anisotropic material properties similar to those of soft elastomers (Kang and Wu, 2011;Meyers et al, 2008;Ní Annaidh et al, 2012;Oomens et al, 1987). The mechanical properties of skin depend on many factors such as age, anatomical region, strain (rate), and skin hydration level (Diridollou et al, 2001;Gefen, 2011;Gerhardt et al, 2009;Hendriks et al, 2004;Sanders, 1971;Sopher and Gefen, 2011;Wildnauer et al, 1971).…”