engleski

Thread inspired 3D printed clamps for in vitro biomechanical testing

In recent biomechanical testing of soft tissues, many researchers have presented the usage of different clamping techniques such as using frozen clamps, non-frozen serrated jaw clamps, a non-frozen clamp which has lateral block boards and asymmetrical teeth yaws to prevent tissues from slipping and without damaging it at high loads. In this study, for future biomechanical testing of human gracilis and quadriceps tendons, we present the usage of a 3D printing approach as a possibility for making clamps. We took the measures of the existing pneumatic jaw clamps on Shimadzu AGS-X 10 kN machine and according to the measurements, we have designed and 3D print the clamps which have different geometry inspired by the cross-sectional view of metric, trapezoidal and buttress thread, to act as extensions to existing ones and to be able to prevent tendon slipping and damaging during compression. Based on the tensile tests using porcine tendons, we report our experience. It has been shown that we can avoid expensive changes in existing equipment, buying commercially available plastic and metal materials and manufacturing it or else use frozen clamps which are complex and expensive. We have shown that using a low-cost 3D printer and cheap polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) material can lead to successful scientific work. To our knowledge, by searching available literature, there is only one similar study published during writing this paper.

Biomechanical testing, 3D printed clamp, Superficial flexor tendon, Thread

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