Design of a test apparatus to study a proposed dynamic tissue puncture model

Abstract

Two test apparatuses were designed, built, and evaluated in order to study a proposed dynamic tissue puncture model. The test apparatuses were designed to improve existing experiments used previously to experimentally verify tissue models. These models are incomplete due to the small range of velocities tested (up to 250 mm/s) and because they do not account for the complex interactions between tissue and needle during deep puncture. The first test apparatus is based on a vertical drop test. This apparatus was modeled, built, and evaluated for its performance based on the speeds achieved in the region of impact. Based on improvements from this apparatus, a second test apparatus was modeled and will be built in the future. The second apparatus is a modified drop test; however, it is on an inclined plane in order to reduce the effects of gravity when attempting to achieve lower speeds.