Experimental investigation of ovine intervertebral disc units in longitudinal loading

Abstract

AbstractThe assessment of the predictive power of material models for soft biological tissues is an important issue when it comes to realistic simulations for medical applications. The determination of the model parameters needs sound experimental data. In our case we want to test the viscoelastic properties of ovine lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD's) in longitudinal loading. The complex geometry as well as the small imposed displacements combined with rather high forces are to be treated. The two vertebrae adjacent to the IVD are mounted using custom made clampings where attention is paid not to prestress the tissue. First tests were done with steel springs in order to check the suitability of the used materials testing machine. No significant compliance of the machine could be detected but a negative hysteresis that might origin from the data acquisition process. Experiments on IVD's gave us an in‐depth insight into the underlying mechanics such that we can now define appropriate protocols for future experiments. (© 2009 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)