Poster D2 - Experimental Characterization of Skin Under Suction

Friday, October 25, 2024

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Presenting Author(s)

Juan E. Cagua (he/him/his)

Undergraduate Student
Universidad de Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States

Co-Author(s)

Edidiong Etim, BS (she/her/hers)

Doctorate Student
University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States
EP

Erick Pinto

Undergraduate Student
University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States
LC

Lisa Chhim

High School Student
Lowell High School, United States

Primary Investigator(s)

Franco Walfre, PhD

Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair
University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States

Introduction: Background
The skin is the largest organ in the human body containing three layers, the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. Suction is a common method to study the mechanical properties of skin. Negative pressure is applied on a designated area to elevate skin using a circular aperture. By increasing the size of the aperture more layers of skin are elevated. Current studies use aperture sizes under 16 mm, which does not result in significant elevation of the hypodermis. However, increasing the aperture size subjects more of the hypodermis to suction, thereby influencing the overall response of skin. Accurate understanding of the response of skin under suction as a function of hypodermis thickness can contribute to medical device development.
Objective
This study's objective is to analyze the variation in skin elevation during large deformations with suction loading.

Materials and

Methods: Methods
The study enrolled three participants. Suction pressure with an aperture diameter of 53 mm was applied to the volar forearm using a transparent acrylic tube. Prior, the thickness of the hypodermis of the participants were measured with an ultrasound imaging device. The deformation was captured with a camera aligned to the study area while the pressures varied from 1.25 to 8 inHg.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Results
The average hypodermis thickness of participants 1, 2 and 3 before the suction test were 0.48, 0.22, and 0.40 mm respectively. Among all the three participants there was an increasing behavior on the displacement of the skin while increasing the suction pressure. At 8 inHg, the maximum displacement of skin for all three participants were 12.06, 11.19, and 11.54 mm respectively.
Discussion
When comparing the hypodermis thickness of participants and the total displacement at 8 inHg, it is observed that the thickness of hypodermis may be related to the total displacement. When comparing the hypodermis thickness from greatest value to the least value we see it also corresponds to the greatest displacement, this can lead us to a strong relation of hypodermis thickness and maximum displacement. The results show that this test is a useful method of study, however, to obtain reliable results that give insight on skin behavior under suction it is required a larger group of participants.
Conclusion
Several studies on biomechanics of skin do not include significant effect of the hypodermis due to their small area of analysis. However, the tests results show that the hypodermis contributes significantly to mechanical behavior of skin, but it is known that it is not the only determinant of the total displacement. With further study, this approach will help us develop a deeper understanding of skin which can provide important contributions to the development of medical devices

Acknowledgements (Optional):