Elastic properties of synthetic materials for soft tissue modeling

• Published in: Physics in medicine & biology 2008-04, Vol.53 (8), p.2115-2130
• Main Authors: Mansy, H A, Grahe, J R, Sandler, R H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Compressive Strength; Elasticity; Equipment Design; Materials Testing; Models, Biological; Phantoms, Imaging; Pressure; Radiotherapy - methods; Silicone Elastomers - chemistry; Stress, Mechanical; Temperature; Tensile Strength; Time Factors; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0031-9155; 1361-6560
• DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/8/008

Mechanical models of soft tissue are useful for studying vibro-acoustic phenomena. They may be used for validating mathematical models and for testing new equipment and techniques. The objective of this study was to measure density and visco-elastic properties of synthetic materials that can be used to build such models. Samples of nine different materials were tested under dynamic (0.5 Hz) compressive loading conditions. The modulus of elasticity of the materials was varied, whenever possible, by adding a softener during manufacturing. The modulus was measured over a nine month period to quantify the effect of ageing and softener loss on material properties. Results showed that a wide range of the compression elasticity modulus (10 to 1400 kPa) and phase (3.5 degrees -16.7 degrees ) between stress and strain were possible. Some materials tended to exude softener over time, resulting in a weight loss and elastic properties change. While the weight loss under normal conditions was minimal in all materials (