Mechanical Testing Device for Viscoelastic Biomaterials

The geometric configuration of material specimens can present challenges in fixturing such that the boundary conditions influence test results and skew accurate assessment of material properties. This can further be complicated by specimens of low stiffness such that existing equipment is not optimized for the necessary range of forces and displacements. In this paper, we describe a new device for determining viscoelastic material properties of small biologic specimens and show early results from its use. The mechanical design, control system, and theoretical underpinnings are presented.