Application of 3d printing technology to facilitate and standardize testing soft tissues

Material slippage forms a major issue in the biomechanical testing of soft tissues. We here present a clamping technique utilizing 3D printing technology which allows to test soft tissues in a highly standardized and high throughput manner. Results from image correlation and scanning electron microscopy indicate that material slippage is minimised, while at the same time failure of the sample occurs predominantly in the areas of interest but not at the clamping sites.