Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials最新文献

{"title":"Microstructure of the anterior iliac Spine: Identification of trends and relation to fracture tolerance","authors":"Connor Hanggi ,&nbsp;Sophia Tushak ,&nbsp;Emily Garman ,&nbsp;Bronislaw Gepner ,&nbsp;Martin Ӧstling ,&nbsp;Jason R. Kerrigan","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seatbelt-induced pelvic iliac wing injuries have been observed since the 1970s, but only recently has there been quantification of fracture tolerance and injury risk of the iliac wing. Previous studies have shown a wide variation in iliac wing fracture tolerance with no significant relationships to pelvis size, sex, or other factors. A weighted average bone density (BD) calculation of the entire iliac wing produced the best predictive performance of fracture tolerance in parametric (Weibull) survival models. As a result, we endeavored to evaluate local bone microstructural properties at the site of loading and evaluate their relationship to fracture tolerance. Anterior iliac spine samples (ASIS, AIIS) were extracted from 42 iliac wings, originating from 11 male and 10 female post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS). Samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography, then 20 different cortical and trabecular bone measurements for each sample were evaluated. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to reduce the dimensionality and identify the features of iliac wing microstructure that account for the most variation in the measurements. The first principal component, which represented bone quantity, accounted for over 33 % of the variation in the specimen microstructures. This component improved the survival model fit to the data more than any other previous model. Results suggest that bone quantity may explain much of the variation in iliac wing fracture tolerance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"173 ","pages":"Article 107174"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145011052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strain-based biomarkers at the skin surface differentiate asymmetries in soft tissue mobility associated with myofascial pain","authors":"Anika R. Kao ,&nbsp;Terry M. Loghmani ,&nbsp;Gregory J. Gerling","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soft tissue manipulation is used widely to assess myofascial tissue qualitatively but lacks objective measures. To quantify the mobility of myofascial tissue, this effort derives optical biomarkers from the skin surface, as observed in the hands-on workflow of clinicians. Digital image correlation using three high-resolution cameras captures the cervicothoracic region as a clinician deeply engages and stretches the skin and myofascial tissue. Nineteen participants were positioned prone and marked with semi-permanent tattoos, optimized for tracking tissue without compromising its natural mechanics. Tissue mobility was then clinically assessed both bilaterally (left and right sides of body) and directionally (superior and inferior directions of pull). Eleven strain-based biomarkers were derived per tissue pull. With participants' data aggregated, the sides of the body were indistinct, though pull in the superior direction was distinct from that in the inferior direction. Given substantial variance in the biomarkers’ absolute values between participants, we then evaluated each person individually. Therein, distinct tissue behaviors were observed. In particular, bilateral differences were identified in nine participants, eight of whom reported discrepancies in pain between their left and right sides, while directional distinctions were observed in sixteen participants, as expected given similar anatomical tissue structures between individuals. In our sample of participants, optical skin surface tracking and derived strain-based biomarkers identified asymmetrical distinctions in bilateral mobility, which correspond with self-reported pain. Such objective assessment of myofascial tissue stiffness is important in monitoring and treating chronic musculoskeletal pain, which afflicts half of the U.S. adult population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107175"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In silico prediction of hip fractures: improved fall modeling and expanded validation across cohorts with diverse risk profiles","authors":"Giacomo Savelli ,&nbsp;Sara Oliviero ,&nbsp;Marco Viceconti ,&nbsp;Antonino Amedeo La Mattina","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Osteoporosis constitutes a significant global health concern, however the development of novel treatments is challenging due to the limited cost-effectiveness and ethical concerns inherent to placebo-controlled clinical trials. Computational approaches are emerging as alternatives for the development and assessment of biomedical interventions.</div><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of an <em>In Silico</em> trial technology (<em>BoneStrength</em>) to predict hip fracture incidence by implementing a novel approach designed to reproduce the phenomenology of falls as reported in clinical data, and by testing its accuracy in three virtual cohorts characterised by different risk profiles.</div><div>Three cohorts of 1270, 1249 and 1262 virtual patients (Finite Element models of proximal femur) were generated based on a statistical anatomy atlas. Fall events were modelled using a negative binomial distribution, which replicated the over-dispersed nature of falls among the elderly population. A multiscale stochastic model was employed to estimate the impact force for each fall event, and subject-specific FE models were used to determine fall-specific femur strength. Patients were classified as fractured if the impact force exceeded femur strength. Fracture incidence over a two- or three-years follow-up was predicted with a Markov chain approach.</div><div>The model predicted 12 ± 4, 16 ± 3 and 37 ± 7 fractures for the three cohorts, in alignment with clinical data (8, 14 and 41 fractures reported respectively).</div><div>In conclusion, <em>BoneStrength</em> could reproduce fall phenomenology and fracture incidence in diverse populations. These results highlight its potential for future applications in the development of hip fracture prevention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107182"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breaking points of human hamstring muscle–tendon complex: A cadaveric study","authors":"Gakuto Nakao ,&nbsp;Kazuma Yamagata ,&nbsp;Risa Adachi ,&nbsp;Koki Ishiyama ,&nbsp;Kazuyoshi Kozawa ,&nbsp;Kota Watanabe ,&nbsp;Kanna Nagaishi ,&nbsp;Masaki Katayose ,&nbsp;Keigo Taniguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107180","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hamstring strain injuries frequently occur during the late swing phase of running; however, the breaking strength of the human hamstring muscle-tendon complexes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the breaking strength of human hamstring muscle-tendon complexes. To this end, seven cadaveric specimens preserved using the Thiel's method were examined. The biceps femoris long head (BFlh), semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were isolated and secured to a testing apparatus. Using a material testing machine, tensile load (P) was applied to the distal end of each muscle. The initial muscle length was defined as slack length (L) and displacement (ΔL) was recorded during elongation. Cross-sectional area (A) was measured at the muscle belly using ultrasonography. Muscles were passively elongated until failure, and strain (%, ΔL/L), stress (kPa, P/A), and Young's modulus (kPa, stress/strain) were calculated. The breaking point was defined as the yield point where stress plateaued while strain continued to increase. Breaking strain was significantly lower in BFlh (12.7 ± 0.9 %) and SM (12.1 ± 0.8 %) than in ST (14.1 ± 1.1 %). Breaking stress was significantly higher in BFlh (106.5 ± 32.2 kPa) and SM (121.5 ± 23.4 kPa) than in ST (57.3 ± 15.9 kPa) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Young's modulus at the breaking point was significantly higher in BFlh (830.1 ± 216.2 kPa) and SM (992.9 ± 147.9 kPa) than in ST (402.4 ± 92.5 kPa). BFlh and SM displayed lower breaking strain and higher breaking stress compared to ST, demonstrating stiffer mechanical properties. These mechanical characteristics could partially explain why these muscles are more vulnerable to strain under conditions of high tensile loading.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107180"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144988751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electric field-induced modulation of mechanical behavior in polyelectrolyte materials: A multiscale molecular dynamics study","authors":"Md. Tahmid Anjum Khan ,&nbsp;Turash Haque Pial ,&nbsp;Mohammad Motalab","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymers with multifunctional capabilities are increasingly important for emerging technologies, particularly in applications requiring electro-responsive behavior. Polyelectrolytes, which are charged polymers, are promising candidates for electrically triggered actuators, artificial muscles, biomedicine, and flexible electronics, where modulation of mechanical properties is crucial for maintaining structural integrity and performance. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to explore how electric fields influence the mechanical behavior of polyelectrolytes. A generic coarse-grained model, based on the Kremer-Grest polymer framework, is first used to capture general trends, followed by a detailed all-atom simulation of polystyrene sulfonate combined with poly [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium chloride]. Both models show enhanced stress–strain responses under increased strain rates, electric field strengths, and durations. Analysis reveals that the electric field induces orientation changes in the polyelectrolytes, enhancing attractive interactions among charged monomers. These findings highlight the potential of polyelectrolyte-based materials in advanced applications where electrical responsiveness is critical.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107179"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping between chain configuration and mechanical properties of poly(L-lactic acid) monofilaments via hydrolysis induction","authors":"Gutian Zhao ,&nbsp;Kai Zhuang ,&nbsp;Xue Hu ,&nbsp;Bin Wang ,&nbsp;Gensheng Wu ,&nbsp;Bin Gu ,&nbsp;Jie Cheng ,&nbsp;Zhonghua Ni","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), as a substrate material, has been widely utilized in the field of biodegradable vascular stents. Prior to implantation, it is particularly crucial for these devices to assess the relationship of the mechanical properties and microstructures during full degradation cycle. Although previous studies have primarily focused on structural parameters such as crystallinity and molecular weight, there are relatively few reports that explore the impact of microstructure on mechanical performance from the perspective of chain configuration during the degradation. In this study, three types of PLLA monofilaments with short chains (SCs), transitional chains (TCs), long chains (LCs) were prepared via 50 °C hydrolysis. The stress-strain curves of these monofilaments were quantitatively evaluated, focusing on the critical parameters across the elastic, yield, and strain-hardening stages. The results show that throughout the 17- day degradation cycle (equal to 3 months via 37 °C hydrolysis), PLLA monofilaments undergo a transition from LCs to TCs and subsequently to SCs. Simultaneously, the Young's modulus exhibits a continuous increase, while the strain hardening slope demonstrates a decrease. These findings may indicate that SCs primarily enhance the elastic modulus, TCs influence yield stress, and LCs govern strain-hardening behavior. Therefore, elucidating the relationship between chain configuration and mechanical behaviors may provide experimental references to identify the degradation stage of PLLA materials in practical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107178"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of 3-butenoic acid-modified polyalkenoic acid for enhanced glass ionomer cement performance","authors":"Xiaoxu Liang ,&nbsp;Dandan Zhou ,&nbsp;Biao Yu ,&nbsp;Hai-jing Zhong ,&nbsp;Jingwei He","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Glass ionomer cements (GICs) suffer from mechanical limitations due to rigid intermolecular hydrogen bonding in polyalkenoic acid (PCA) that impedes ionic cross-linking during setting. This study examined how molecular weight and solution concentration of modified polyalkenoic acid (PCA) containing 3-butenoic acid (VA) spacers at 8 mol% concentration (PCA-VA-8) influence comprehensive GIC performance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PCA-VA-8 polymers with varying molecular weights (5.49 × 10⁴ to 15.57 × 10⁴) were synthesized via free radical copolymerization of acrylic acid, itaconic acid, and 3-butenoic acid by controlling initiator dosage. Experimental GICs were prepared using different PCA-VA-8 concentrations (40–60 wt%) and powder-to-liquid ratios (3.2:1 to 4.0:1). Mechanical properties were evaluated according to ISO 9917–1:2007 standards, while water sorption, solubility, aging resistance, and fluoride release were assessed over 4-week immersion periods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The optimal formulation (molecular weight ≈8 × 10⁴, 50 wt% concentration, 3.6:1 powder-to-liquid ratio) achieved enhanced mechanical properties: flexural strength 54.14 ± 5.29 MPa, flexural modulus 19.00 ± 1.06 GPa, and compressive strength 221.35 ± 17.06 MPa (p &lt; 0.05). This formulation showed 33 %–63 % higher flexural strength than commercial Fuji IX-GIC throughout 4-week water aging while maintaining excellent dimensional stability. Water sorption was reduced by 18 %–22 % during initial weeks compared to commercial materials, with solubility remaining comparable to controls (p &gt; 0.05). Fluoride release analysis revealed an initial burst release of 4.1 μg/mL on day 1, followed by stabilization at 0.6–0.9 μg/mL from day 4 onward. Although lower than the initial release of commercial Fuji IX-GIC (6.2 μg/mL), the sustained fluoride levels remained above the therapeutic threshold necessary for remineralization and caries prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>VA-modified PCA enhances GIC mechanical properties through improved polymer chain flexibility while maintaining clinical requirements for water resistance and fluoride release, representing a promising advancement for next-generation restorative applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-washing using a Soxhlet apparatus improves the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of 3D printing resin in contaminated solvent","authors":"Yifan Ma ,&nbsp;Gan Jin ,&nbsp;Zhihao Zhang ,&nbsp;Di Chen ,&nbsp;Yunqi Liu ,&nbsp;Jung-Hwa Lim ,&nbsp;Jong-Eun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photopolymerization-based 3D printing is widely used in dental manufacturing due to its precision and customizability. However, printed resin specimens require effective post-washing to remove unpolymerized resin, which is a critical step that affects both their mechanical properties and biocompatibility. A conventional ultrasonic bath may fail to achieve effective post-washing due to solvent contamination by the residual resin, resulting in incomplete cleaning and possible redeposition. This study investigated the use of a Soxhlet apparatus as an innovative post-washing method. By continuously refreshing the solvent, Soxhlet post-washing ensures the effective removal of residual resin. The results showed that Soxhlet post-washing restored the turbidity of the contaminated solvent to that of fresh ethanol, indicating a significant reduction in surface contamination. Mechanical tests showed that the Vickers hardness and tensile strength were significantly higher for specimens treated by a Soxhlet apparatus than when using a contaminated ultrasonic bath. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photo-DSC showed that the degree of conversion was higher in the contaminated Soxhlet apparatus group than in the contaminated ultrasonic bath group. Cell viability assays confirmed that cytotoxic leachates were reduced after Soxhlet post-washing, resulting in higher biocompatibility. These findings suggest that Soxhlet-based post-washing overcomes the limitations of solvent contamination and provides a promising approach to improve the quality and clinical performance of 3D printing resin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107176"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144988752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The current state of biomechanical analyses of the adult human femur: A systematic review","authors":"Blaine Oldham ,&nbsp;Omar Manzur ,&nbsp;Kishore Myshore Nagaraja ,&nbsp;Richard Samade ,&nbsp;Wei Li ,&nbsp;Robert C. Weinschenk","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Biomechanical properties of adult femurs hold significant clinical and surgical relevance. However, a consolidated analysis of those material properties has not been established. Furthermore, the limitations of cadaveric studies and emergence of alternate methods of biomechanical femoral analyses, including synthetic femurs and modern technologies, warrant a comprehensive exploration.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three databases were systematically reviewed for biomechanical studies of adult human femurs. Forty-two studies passed inclusion and exclusion criteria. These were categorized as cadaveric, composite, or modern/innovative, and results from these studies were aggregated and organized.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>A total of 858 cadaveric specimens were evaluated, with a weighted average tensile modulus of 11.5 ± 1.08 GPa, compressive modulus of 683.3 ± 290.3 MPa, and ultimate stress of 2.24 ± 0.87 MPa. Analysis of 3D-printed and composite femurs exhibited substantial methodological heterogeneity, and aggregate data are presented herein. Modern technologies included finite-element analysis, x-ray/CT-based studies, fractal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>There exists substantial heterogeneity among femoral biomechanical studies. The standardized values derived from cadaveric studies provide baseline biomechanical values for surgical populations. The variety of surrogate femurs and modern technologies necessitate greater standardization in testing methodologies and outcome reporting. A validated and comprehensive library of biomechanical values would be beneficial for future studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SALS-ing is believing: Determining dominant fibre orientation in pericardium using visual inspection and Small Angle Light Scattering (SALS)","authors":"L. Guerin ,&nbsp;A. Whelan ,&nbsp;C. Hughes ,&nbsp;D. O'Reilly ,&nbsp;E. Campbell ,&nbsp;E. Growney ,&nbsp;C. Lally","doi":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Porcine pericardium and bovine pericardium are commonly used materials in medical devices, most notably in the leaflets of bioprosthetic valves. The mechanical and fatigue behaviour of pericardium is influenced primarily by its collagen fibre architecture. Multiple methods exist in the literature for determining the collagen fibre architecture of pericardium, including inspecting the tissue by eye using a light source. However, visual inspection of pericardium has not yet been established to be repeatable or accurate for providing information on mechanically relevant fibre orientations. This study aims to establish the reliability of this visual inspection method. To do this a ‘ground truth’ for fibre architecture was defined using small angle light scattering (SALS). SALS repeatability was demonstrated by imaging porcine pericardium in four different positions and the ability to determine mechanically relevant tissue fibre orientations by SALS was correlated by uniaxial tensile testing. The repeatability and accuracy of visual inspection using a light source was then investigated, with six researchers identifying by eye the dominant fibre orientation of porcine pericardium in the same four positions from a bank of images. SALS was found to be highly repeatable in determining fibre alignment and the mechanically dominant fibre orientation, regardless of tissue orientation or the surface imaged. Visual inspection was found to be unrepeatable and inaccurate for all six researchers. Based on the data presented in this study, small angle light scattering, and not visual inspection, is recommended for the non-destructive repeatable determination of the mechanically dominant fibre orientation in pericardium.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":380,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 107173"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}