Residual stress features in organ models
Simulated tissue structures and methods of making them are disclosed. An elastic first material is placed in tension. An elastic second material is adhered to the first material while the first material is in tension. The adhered second material and the first material in tension forms a first shape of the simulated tissue structure. Tension on the first material is released. In releasing the tension of the first material, a force is exerted on the adhered second material bring the combination of the first material and the second material into a second shape. The first shape is maintained by a mold or mandrel and the second shape is the desired shape of the simulated tissue structure.
1. A simulated tissue structure comprising:
a strip of cured silicone;
a layer of silicone; and
a tubular vessel attached to the strip of cured silicone and the layer of silicone,
wherein a final shape for the simulated tissue structure from a combination of the strip of cured silicone, the layer of silicone, and the tubular vessel is spiraled or tortuous.
2. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the layer of silicone has an uncured state and a cured state and the tubular vessel is attached to the strip of cured silicone by the layer of cured silicone initially being in the uncured state and then the cured state.
3. The simulated tissue structure of claim 2 , wherein the layer of silicone has an uncured state and is disposed on the strip of cured silicone while the layer of silicone is in the uncured state.
4. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the strip of cured silicone is stretchable along a longitudinal axis.
5. The simulated tissue structure of claim 4 , wherein the layer of silicone has an uncured state and is applied onto the strip of cured silicone while the strip is stretched and the layer of silicone is in the uncured state.
6. The simulated tissue structure of claim 5 , wherein the tubular vessel is placed on the strip while the strip is stretched and the layer of silicone in the uncured state is wet.
7. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the tubular vessel is solid.
8. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the tubular vessel is hollow.
9. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the tubular vessel has a spiral shape.
10. The simulated tissue structure of claim 4 , wherein the tubular vessel is placed in a spiral fashion around the strip of cured silicone while the strip is stretched.
11. The simulated tissue structure of claim 7 , wherein the tubular vessel is wrapped around the strip of cured silicone without tension.
12. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the strip of cured silicone has a relaxed length longer than its relaxed width.
13. The simulated tissue structure of claim 1 , wherein the strip of cured silicone comprises mesh material.
14. The simulated tissue structure of claim 13 , wherein the mesh material has a dominant stretch direction with a stretch distance greater than an inferior stretch direction, and wherein the mesh material is stretchable with a limited stretch distance in one direction and a full stretch distance in another direction.
15. The simulated tissue structure of claim 14 , wherein the strip of cured silicone comprising the mesh material is configured to simulate a tendon with an ability to bend and flex but not readily stretch.
16. A simulated tissue structure comprising:
a stretchable strip;
a silicone layer; and
a tubular vessel being configured to twist and bend the stretchable strip and the silicone layer into a spiraled or tortuous shape.
17. The simulated tissue structure of claim 16 , wherein the tubular vessel is adhered onto the stretchable strip by curing of the silicone layer.
18. The simulated tissue structure of claim 16 , wherein the tubular vessel is adhered onto the stretchable strip while the stretchable strip is stretched, and the spiraled or tortuous shape is formed when the stretchable strip is no longer stretched.
19. The simulated tissue structure of claim 16 , wherein the tubular vessel is solid and is wrapped around the stretchable strip without tension, the stretchable strip comprising silicone.
20. A simulated tissue structure comprising:
a silicone strip;
a silicone layer attached to the silicone strip; and
a silicone vessel attached to the silicone strip and the silicone layer, the silicone strip, the silicone layer and the silicone vessel together having a tortuous shape.