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Approximate Artery Elasticity Using Linear Springs

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Abstract

The mechanical properties of arteries play an essential role in the study of the circulatory system dynamics, which has been becoming increasingly important in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, when building virtual reality simulators, it is crucial to have a tissue model able to respond in real time. The aim of this work is to linearize an artery model to calculate the stiffness of springs. Arteries with three tissue layers (Intima, Media, and Adventitia) are considered and, starting from the stretch-energy density, some of the elasticity tensor components are calculated. The artery is discretized by a two dimensional mesh where the nodes are connected by three kinds of linear springs (one normal and two angular ones). The model linearizes and homogenizes the material response, but it still contemplates the geometric nonlinearity. Comparisons showed a good match with a nonlinear model and with a standard two-dimensional finite element model, when the artery undergoes a stretch in the circumferential and axial directions. The agreement is also good if the arterial tissue undergoes bending. Finally, the Intima layer shows the biggest deviation from linearity when there is a large deformation in the axial direction. If the arterial stretch varies by 1% or less, then the agreement between the linear and nonlinear models is trustworthy.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Programa de Capacitação Institucional/Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica (PCI/LNCC), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Medicina Assistida por Computação Científica (INCT-MACC), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, Projects 454815/2015-8, 573710/2008-2, 290011/2008-6) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ, Project E-26/170.030/2008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av. San Miguel 3605, Casilla 617, Talca, Chile

    Jürgen A. Baier-Saip

  2. Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará, Rua Estevão Remígio 1145, Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil

    Pablo A. Baier

  3. Lehrstuhl für Informatik VII, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    Klaus Schilling

  4. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Av. Getúlio Vargas 333, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil

    Jauvane C. Oliveira

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  1. Jürgen A. Baier-Saip
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  2. Pablo A. Baier
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  4. Jauvane C. Oliveira
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Correspondence to Jürgen A. Baier-Saip.

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Baier-Saip, J.A., Baier, P.A., Schilling, K. et al. Approximate Artery Elasticity Using Linear Springs. J. Med. Biol. Eng. 37, 899–911 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-017-0254-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-017-0254-0

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