Biomechanical behaviour of oesophageal tissues: Material and structural configuration, experimental data and constitutive analysis

The aim of the present work is to propose an approach to the biomechanical analysis of oesophagus by defining an appropriate constitutive model and the associated constitutive parameters. The configuration of the different tissues and layers that compose the oesophagus shows very complicated internal anatomy, geometry and mechanical properties. The coupling of these tissues adds to the complexity. The constitutive models must be capable of interpreting the highly non-linear mechanical response. This is done adopting a specific hyperelastic anisotropic formulation. Experimental data are essential for the investigation of the tissues’ biomechanical behaviour and also represent the basis for the definition of constitutive parameters to be adopted within the constitutive formulation developed. This action is provided by using a specific stochastic optimization procedure, addressed to the minimization of a cost function that interprets the discrepancy between experimental data and results from the analytical models developed. Unfortunately, experimental data at disposal do not satisfy all requested information and a particular solution must be provided with regard to definition of the lateral contraction of soft tissues. The anisotropic properties of the tissues are investigated considering the configuration of embedded fibres, according to their mechanical characteristics, quantity and distribution. Collagen and muscular fibres must be considered. The formulation provided on the basis of axiomatic theory of constitutive relationships and the procedure for constitutive parameters identification are described. The evaluation of constitutive parameters requires the analysis of data from experimental tests, that are extracted from the literature. Result validation is performed by comparing the experimental data and model results. In this way a valid basis is provided for the investigation of biomechanical behaviour of oesophagus, looking at deeper information from the experimental point of view that should offer data to be implemented in the procedure for a more detailed and accurate problem definition.