Characterisation of failure in human aortic tissue using digital image correlation

International audienceAn aortic aneurism is a localized dilation of the aorta in a weakened area [1, 2]. The increase of aneurism size may result in rupture, which will be a life threatening emergency. The mechanism of failure in aneurysms is now relatively well understood. However, only limited research has provided quantitative values for the stresses that cause the failure of pathologic arterial tissue. The evaluation of the local failure stress remains an open problem. In this study we apply digital image correlation (DIC) to excised pieces of tissue that we test in a bulge inflation test. The tissue is taken from the ascending aorta in diseased patients requiring an excision for removing an aneurysm. All procedures are carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board of the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, France