Background: To investigate and evaluate the biomechanical properties of adult-excised porcine trachea, thereby providing experimental methods and evidence for biomedical engineering of artificial trachea.
Methods: The TY8000 servo-handle tension test machine was used to measure biomechanical indices, such as bending stiffness, radial pedestal, and stress-straining. The residual stress and bursting strength of adult-excised porcine trachea was evaluated.
Results: Residual stress was retained in the adult-excised porcine trachea. The force of radial pedestal was detected as 10 N, when the diameter of a 50-mm trachea was compressed to 50%. The bursting strength decreased from 180 mmHg of pharyngeal portion to 110 mmHg in tracheal carina. When the trachea flexed forward or either right or left by 50 degrees , tension reached 0.296 to 0.131 N and 0.254 to 0.150 N, respectively. The curve of stress-straining measured, according to computer data and results, suggested that tension was maintained at a low level at 50% strain.
Conclusions: Residual stress was retained in the excised porcine trachea, and the porcine trachea membrane disrupted when pressure in the inner wall increased. The porcine trachea exhibits good radial pedestal force, bending, and elongation properties.