Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Tissue, Part 1: Accurate Specimen Measurement

Abstract

Mechanical characterization of biological tissues is a foundational element of biomedical innovation, enabling the development of predictive models, engineered tissues, and medical devices that interact with the human body. A crucial step in this process is measuring the geometry of soft tissue specimens, which is necessary for calculating mechanical quantities such as stress or strain. Here we examine various methods for measuring the dimensions of soft biological tissues with a focus on thickness measurements, but also including width, and length. We evaluate the advantages and limitations of direct contact and non-contact approaches, providing a comprehensive assessment of their suitability for different applications and tissue types. By informing the selection of appropriate measurement techniques, we aim to contribute to the development of standardized protocols for mechanical characterization.