Mechanical Characterization of the Human Umbilical Chord
Image Credit Here: http://www.medicallegalblog.com/2009/05/nuchal-cord-its-cord-problem-not-neck.html
Why research the mechanics of the umbilical cord?
The human umbilical cord is a complex structure crucial to the development of a fetus. Connecting the fetus to the placenta, the cord encases umbilical vessels, and is responsible for the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. In order to provide a reliable pathway, the cord must be constructed in such a way to absorb mechanical loading due to fetal movements and uterine contractions. In order to understand the response of the cord to such mechanical loading, it is necessary to observe the behavior of the individual composite components of the cord as well as the behavior of the cord as a whole. The aim of this research was to compare findings on the mechanical properties of components of the cord to the behavior of the cord as a whole.
Our group was specifically interested in the mechanical response of abnormal cords to compressive loading. Abnormalities include sections of discoloration or changing diameter, as well as hypertensive cords, which are demonstrated to have a less flexible extra cellular matrix. Although materials are typically tested in tension, physiologically relevant mechanical loading on these cords is primarily compressive in nature. As a result, it was necessary to design tests that would accurately measure the mechanical responses of individual components of the cord as well as it's composite behavior. I was responsible for designing, fabricating, and using test hardware capable of testing soft tissues in unconfined compression.
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