Validations of the Microchannel Flow Model for Characterizing Vascularized Tissues

Abstract

The microchannel flow model postulates that stress-strain behavior in soft tissues is influenced by the time constants of fluid-filled vessels related to Poiseuille's law. A consequence of this framework is that changes in fluid viscosity and changes in vessel diameter (through vasoconstriction) have a measurable e_ect on tissue sti_ness. These influences are examined through the theory of the microchannel flow model. Then, the e_ects of viscosity and vasoconstriction are demonstrated in gelatin phantoms and in perfused tissues, respectively. We find good agreement between theory and experiments using both a simple model made from gelatin and from living, perfused, placental tissue in vitro.