Fatigue Testing of Human Flexor Tendons Using a Customized 3D-Printed Clamping System

Improved surgical procedures and implant developments for ligament or tendon repair require an in-depth understanding of tissue load-deformation fatigue properties. Cyclic testing will provide crucial information on the behavior these materials under reoccurring loads strength. Sparse data are available describing soft cyclic loading. To examine strength, a new technology was trialed deploying 3D-printing to facilitate standardize tests aiming determine behavior. Cadaveric flexor digitorum tendons were harvested mounted tensile with no tapering being made, using 3D-printed clamps holder arms, while ensuring consistent length. Loads ranging between 200 510 N applied at frequency 4 Hz, cycles failure ranged 8 >260,000. S–N curves (Woehler curves) generated based peak stresses failure. Power regression yielded combined coefficient determination stress R2 = 0.65, individual coefficients tissues single donors 0.54 0.88. The here-presented results demonstrate that human can be obtained standardized setting technology.