Computational and experimental characterization of skin mechanics: identifying current challenges and future directions

Jor, Jessica W. Y.; Parker, Matthew D.; Taberner, Andrew J.; Nash, Martyn P.; Nielsen, Poul M. F.

doi:10.1002/wsbm.1228

Cited by 85 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 176 publications

(247 reference statements)

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“…In order therefore to fully characterise the mechanical properties of skin, it will be necessary to take into account anisotropy and viscoelasticity whilst measuring local stress and strain at multiple length scales and preferably in three dimensions (3D). A further challenge is to reconcile in vitro mechanical measurements with the non‐invasive determination of skin biophysical properties in vivo in order to exploit biophysical knowledge of skin in the clinical environment …”

Section: Current State Of Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

How stiff is skin?

Graham

McConnell

Limbert

et al. 2019

Experimental Dermatology

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The measurement of the mechanical properties of skin (such as stiffness, extensibility and strength) is a key step in characterisation of both dermal ageing and disease mechanisms and in the assessment of tissue‐engineered skin replacements. However, the biomechanical terminology and plethora of mathematical analysis approaches can be daunting to those outside the field. As a consequence, mechanical studies are often inaccessible to a significant proportion of the intended audience. Furthermore, devices for the measurement of skin function in vivo generate relative values rather than formal mechanical measures, therefore limiting the ability to compare studies. In this viewpoint essay, we discuss key biomechanical concepts and the influence of technical and biological factors (including the nature of the testing apparatus, length scale, donor age and anatomical site) on measured mechanical properties such as stiffness. Having discussed the current state‐of‐the‐art in macro‐mechanical and micromechanical measuring techniques and in mathematical and computational modelling methods, we then make suggestions as to how these approaches, in combination with 3D X‐ray imaging and mechanics methods, may be adopted into a single strategy to characterise the mechanical behaviour of skin.

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Section: Current State Of Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

How stiff is skin?

Graham

McConnell

Limbert

et al. 2019

Experimental Dermatology

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“…Nevertheless, as pointed out by Jor et al [6] in their review paper on the computational and experimental characterization of skin, a significant limiting factor in the development and adoption of advanced constitutive theories is the scarcity and relevance of captured experimental data. There are several fundamental aspects, or more precisely, reasons and questions associated with this observation:…”

Section: Perspective and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mathematical and computational modelling of skin biophysics: a review

Limbert

2017

Proc. R. Soc. A.

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The objective of this paper is to provide a review on some aspects of the mathematical and computational modelling of skin biophysics, with special focus on constitutive theories based on nonlinear continuum mechanics from elasticity, through anelasticity, including growth, to thermoelasticity. Microstructural and phenomenological approaches combining imaging techniques are also discussed. Finally, recent research applications on skin wrinkles will be presented to highlight the potential of physics-based modelling of skin in tackling global challenges such as ageing of the population and the associated skin degradation, diseases and traumas.

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“…In a finite element modelling context, it implies that using a single set of mechanical properties for the stratum corneum would limit the domain of validity of the simulation results to specific conditions. A wide array of experimental and clinical measurement techniques are used to characterise particular aspects of skin biology and biophysics (Alexiades-Armenakas, 2007;Batisse et al, 2002;Bellemere et al, 2009;Delalleau et al, 2006;Diridollou et al, 2000;Gunner et al, 1979;Hendriks et al, 2006;Jor et al, 2013;Limbert and Simms, 2013;Tonge et al, 2013a;Tonge et al, 2013b;Wan Abas, 1994). Nevertheless, complementary approaches based on mathematical and computational modelling techniques offer promising avenues to further our understanding of the skin (Areias et al, 2003;Bischoff et al, 2000;Boissieux et al, 2000;Buganza Tepole and Kuhl, 2014;Cavicchi et al, 2009;Duan et al, 2000;Evans, 2009;Flynn and McCormack, 2008a, b;Flynn andMcCormack, 2009, 2010;Hendriks et al, 2006;Hendriks et al, 2003;Kuwazuru et al, 2008;Larrabee and Galt, 1986a, b;Larrabee and Sutton, 1986;Lévêque and Audoly, 2013;Tepole et al, 2014a;Tepole et al, 2014b;Tepole et al, 2011;Zöllner et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A mechanistic insight into the mechanical role of the stratum corneum during stretching and compression of the skin

Leyva-Mendivil

Page

Bressloff

et al. 2015

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

109

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A mechanistic insight into the mechanical role of the stratum corneum during stretching and compression of the skin. This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.www.elsevier.com/locate/jmbbm 1 A mechanistic insight into the mechanical role of the stratum corneum during stretching and compression of the skin. AbstractThe study of skin biophysics has largely been driven by consumer goods, biomedical and cosmetic industries which aim to design products that efficiently interact with the skin and/or modify its biophysical properties for health or cosmetic benefits. The skin is a hierarchical biological structure featuring several layers with their own distinct geometry and mechanical properties. Up to now, no computational models of the skin have simultaneously accounted for these geometrical and material characteristics to study their complex biomechanical interactions under particular macroscopic deformation modes.The goal of this study was, therefore, to develop a robust methodology combining histological sections of human skin, image-processing and finite element techniques to address fundamental questions about skin mechanics and, more particularly, about how macroscopic strains are transmitted and modulated through the epidermis and dermis. The work hypothesis was that, as skin deforms under macroscopic loads, the stratum corneum does not experience significant strains but rather folds/unfolds during skin extension/compression.A sample of fresh human mid-back skin was processed for wax histology. Sections were stained and photographed by optical microscopy. The multiple images were stitched together to produce a larger region of interest and segmented to extract the geometry of the stratum corneum, viable epidermis and dermis. From the segmented structures a 2D finite element mesh of the skin composite model was created and geometrically non-linear plane-strain finite element analyses were conducted to study the sensitivity of the model to variations in mechanical properties.The hybrid experimental-computational methodology has offered valuable insights into the simulated mechanics of the skin, and that of the stratum corneum in particular, by providing qualitative and quantitative information on strain magnitude and distribution. Through a complex non-linear interplay, the geometry and mechanical characteristics of the skin layers (and their relative balance), play a critical role in conditioning the skin mechanical response to macroscopic in-plane compression and extension. Topographical features of the skin surface such as furrows were shown to act as an efficient means to deflec...

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Computational and experimental characterization of skin mechanics: identifying current challenges and future directions

Cited by 85 publications

References 176 publications

How stiff is skin?

How stiff is skin?

Mathematical and computational modelling of skin biophysics: a review

A mechanistic insight into the mechanical role of the stratum corneum during stretching and compression of the skin

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