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Sensing inhomogeneous mechanical properties of human corneal Descemet's membrane with AFM nano-indentation.
- Source :
-
Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials [J Mech Behav Biomed Mater] 2017 Oct; Vol. 74, pp. 21-27. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 May 10. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- The paper describes a highly space-resolved characterization of the surface mechanical properties of the posterior human corneal layer (Descemet's membrane). This has been accomplished with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nano-indentation by using a probe with a sharp tip geometry. Results indicate that the contact with this biological tissue in liquid occurs with no (or very low) adhesion. More importantly, under the same operating conditions, a broad distribution of penetration depth can be measured on different x-y positions of the tissue surface, indicating a high inhomogeneity of surface stiffness, not yet clearly reported in the literature. An important contribution to such inhomogeneity should be ascribed to the discontinuous nature of the collagen/proteoglycans fibers matrix tissue, as can be imaged by AFM when the tissue is semi-dry. Using classical contact mechanics calculations adapted to the specific geometry of the tetrahedral tip it has been found that the elastic modulus E of the material in the very proximity of the surface ranges from 0.23 to 2.6 kPa.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1878-0180
- Volume :
- 74
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28525820
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.05.019