AUTHOR=Casarin Martina , Toniolo Ilaria , Todesco Martina , Carniel Emanuele Luigi , Astolfi Laura , Morlacco Alessandro , Moro Fabrizio Dal 

TITLE=Mechanical characterization of porcine ureter for the evaluation of tissue-engineering applications

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1412136

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2024.1412136

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=Clinics are increasingly in need ofrequire readily deployable tubular substitutes to restore the functionality of structures like ureters and blood vessels. Despite extensive exploration of various materials, both synthetic and biological, the optimal solution remains elusive. Drawing on abundant literature experiences, there is's a pressing demand for a substitute that not only emulates native tissue by providing requisite signals and growth factors but also exhibits appropriate mechanical resilience and behaviour. Consequently, this study aims to assess the potential of porcine ureters by characterizing their biomechanical properties in their native configuration through ring and membrane flexion tests. In order to assess the tissue morphology before and after mechanical tests and the eventual alteration of tissue microstructure that would be inserted in material constitutive description, histological staining was performed on samples, demonstrating the absence of any damages to muscle and collagen fibres, which only compacted after mechanical tests. This analysis will be useful to performfor future comparison with decellularized tissue for the evaluation of the aggression of the cell remotionremoval and its effect on microstructure. Corresponding computational analyses were performed to mimic the experimental campaign to identify the constitutive material parameters.The experimental tests (ring and membrane flexion tests) showed the non-linearity for material and geometry and the viscoelastic behaviour of the native porcine ureter. Computational models were retained descriptive of the mechanical behaviour ureteral tissue, and the material model feasible, leadinglaying the basis for a reliable tool for the prediction of the solicitation in the case of tubular substitutions in the nextsubsequent simulations.