Hybrid concept on the mechanical test method of small caliber blood vessel.

A mechanical test on small caliber blood vessel is difficult because the strength is very low and the dimension is very small. In the present paper a multifunctional axial test apparatus design is proposed. This has the characteristics such that the load cell and the environmental container for the specimen are built up in terms of cassette, respectively, and thus both are easy to equip and take off, that is, easy to replace. Also, the test methodology by internal pressure for small caliber blood vessels has been proposed. By using both of these methodologies, the characteristics of the mechanical behavior of small caliber blood vessels, such as compliance, stress relaxation, and viscoelastic property have been clarified. An attempt has been made on the application of this method to a clinical case.