A BIOENGINEERING APPROACH TO HEALING WOUND

A test procedure was set up to mechanically characterize the healing wound. The load-extension curve at constant extension rate was recorded to breaking point using an Instron Tensile Tester. Tensile strength and energy absorption were calculated and wound extension measured. The repair after injury is incomplete through 150 days. The mechanical properties are slowly regained and the progress continues even after the decrease of new collagen formation. There is still collagen turnover at 150 days, but there is, apparently, no change in the architecture of the wound which would restore the mechanical properties to their normal level. The wound is, and remains, a brittle structure, capable of absorbing much less energy than normal skin. © 1969.