Combined spectrophotometry and tensile measurements of human connective tissues: potentials and limitations

Markus Ernstberger; Freddy Sichting; Tobias Baselt; Peter Hartmann; Gabriela Aust; Niels Hammer

doi:10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.060506

24 June 2013 Combined spectrophotometry and tensile measurements of human connective tissues: potentials and limitations

Markus Ernstberger, Freddy Sichting, Tobias Baselt, Peter Hartmann, Gabriela Aust, Niels Hammer

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Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 18, Issue 6, 060506 (June 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.060506

Abstract

Strain-dependent transmission data of nine iliotibial tract specimens are determined using a custom-built optical setup with a halogen light source and an industrial norm material testing machine. Polarized light microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that lateral contraction of collagen structures is responsible for total intensity variations during a 20-cycle preconditioning and a 5-cycle tensile test. Tensile force progress is opposite to total transmission progress. Due to dehydration, wavelength-specific radiation intensity shifting is determined during the test, primarily noticeable in a water absorption band between 1400 and 1500 nm. The results show the capability of integrating spectrophotometry technology into biomechanics for determining structural alterations of human collagen due to applied strain. Being more sensitive to drying, spectrophotometry may likely serve as a quality control in stress-strain testing of biological structures.

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Markus Ernstberger, Freddy Sichting, Tobias Baselt, Peter Hartmann, Gabriela Aust, and Niels Hammer "Combined spectrophotometry and tensile measurements of human connective tissues: potentials and limitations," Journal of Biomedical Optics 18(6), 060506 (24 June 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.060506

Published: 24 June 2013

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