Cardiovascular Soft Tissue Mechanics

Book excerpt: Cowin (New York Center for Biomedical Engineering) and Humphrey (biomedical engineering, Texas A&M U.) present seven papers that discuss current research and future directions. Topics concern tissues within the cardiovascular system (arteries, the heart, and biaxial testing of planar tissues such as heart valves). Themes include an emphasis on data on the underlying microstructure, especially collagen; the consideration of the fact that both arteries and the heart contain muscle and that there is, therefore, a need to quantify both the active and passive response; constitutive relations for active behavior; and the growth and remodeling of cardiovascular tissues. Of interest to cardiovascular and biomechanics soft tissue researchers, and bioengineers. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.