Anisotropy of Passive and Active Rat Vagina under Biaxial Loading
Autor: | Huntington, Alyssa Joan |
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Rok vydání: | 2018 |
Předmět: | |
Druh dokumentu: | Diplomová práce |
Popis: | Pelvic organ prolapse, the decent of the pelvic organs from their normal anatomical position, is a common condition among women that is associated with mechanical alterations of the vaginal wall. In order to characterize the complex mechanical behavior of the vagina, we performed planar biaxial tests of vaginal specimens in both the passive (relaxed) and active (contracted) states. Specimens were isolated from virgin, female Long-Evans rats (n=16) and simultaneously stretched along the longitudinal direction (LD) and circumferential direction (CD) of the vagina. Tissue contraction was induced by electric field stimulation (EFS) at incrementally increasing values of stretch and, subsequently, by KCl. On average, the vagina was stiffer in the CD than in the LD (p MS Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), the decent of the pelvic organs from their normal anatomical position, is a common condition among women that is associated with alterations of the mechanical properties of the vaginal wall. The characterization of the mechanical properties of the vagina is crucial for the development of effective treatments for POP. Biaxial tensile tests were performed in this study so we could observe the behavior of the vagina along both the circumferential direction (CD) and the longitudinal direction (LD). In these tests, square specimens were secured along all four edges and pulled outward such that we could observe the relationship between the stretch and the stress that the tissue experienced. Additionally, because the vagina contains smooth muscle, we also tested the tissue in its active, or contractile state at each stretch level. Contractions were induced by applying electric field stimulation (EFS) to observe nerve-mediated responses, and subsequently by potassium chloride (KCl). On average, the vagina was stiffer in the CD than in the LD (p |
Databáze: | Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations |
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