In Vivo Biomechanical Testing of Nerve: A Procedure for Biomechanical Analysis of Brachial Plexus Nerve Injury in a Neonatal Pig Model

Abstract

Source: Singh, A., et al. Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets. J. Vis. Exp. (2019).

In this video, we demonstrate the biomechanical testing of the brachial plexus nerve in a pig model to measure the threshold tensile strength of the nerve when subjected to stretching. This technique helps in determining the structural and mechanical properties of the nerve.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Biomechanical Testing

1. Set-up of the biomechanical testing device
   NOTE: A custom-built mechanical testing device was designed and fabricated to perform in vivo stretch of the brachial plexus (BP) nerve (Figure 1).
   1. Attach the base of the set-up to a cart.
   2. Attach the electromechanical actuator onto the base using large C-clamps. The actuator can provide 150 lb of force, a 10" stroke, and a speed of 15 mm/s.....

Results

Figure 1: Details of in vivo mechanical testing device including the actuator, load cell, and clamp.

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Omega Subminature Tension & Compression Load Cell	Omega	LCM201-200N	200N load cel
Basler acA640-120uc camera	Basler	acA640-120uc	-
Feedback Linear Actuator	Progressive Automations	PA-14P	10" stroke, 150lb force, 15mm/s speed
Motion Tracking Software	Kinovea	N/A	Open Source
Proramming Software - MATLAB	Mathworks	N/A	version 2018A
Scissors	Fine Science Tools Inc	14094-11 or 14060-09	-