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. 2008 Mar;30(2):206-12.
doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2007.02.007. Epub 2007 Mar 23.

Soft tissue elastometer

V Egorov  1 , S Tsyuryupa, S Kanilo, M Kogit, A Sarvazyan
Affiliations

Soft tissue elastometer

V Egorov et al. Med Eng Phys. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

We have developed a device entitled the 'Tissue Elastometer' (TE) for evaluating the Young's modulus of soft tissues. Soft tissue specimens are compressed between the object plate of an electronic balance and a linearly actuated indenter with a small rounded tip. The hardware of the device was designed such that a deformation model for semi-infinite media is applicable for calculating the Young's modulus of test specimens from their collected force-displacement data. Force-elongation measurements were performed on long strips of cured silicone mixtures to produce calibrated, tissue-mimicking test samples for the TE in a Young's modulus range of 10-400 kPa. When tested with the TE, the Young's moduli of the silicone samples demonstrated accuracy to within 1-10% of their calibrated values. Testing on excised tissue samples (fresh store-bought poultry breast; bovine liver, kidneys, hind shanks; porcine) was also performed, and a repeatability of elasticity measurements was demonstrated in the range of 8-14%. Results indicate that the TE can be effectively used in laboratory and clinical environments to evaluate the elasticity modulus of tissues.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A perspective view of the Tissue Elastometer.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Examples of loading curves for a silicone sample (E = 14 kPa), bovine liver, and bovine kidney.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Young’s modulus evaluation error vs. silicone sample width.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Young’s modulus evaluation error vs. silicone sample height.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Loading curves for bovine muscle tissue with different sample heights.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Young’s modulus for bovine muscle vs. sample height.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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