fig1

Figure 1. Schematics of the mechanical tests described for aortic mechanics where A: shows a uniaxial test; B: biaxial testing; C: the bulge-inflation test; D: depicts inflation-extension testing; E: opening angle testing: Upon cutting an intact circumferential segment of an artery in an unloaded state (described by radius, r), an expansion of the segment is observed over time, leading to an equilibrium zero-stress state (described by radius, R, and opening angle, theta). The residual strains can be obtained from comparison between the two states; F: nano-indentation test: an indenter of known material properties is pressed into the tissue with a known loading pattern, after which the area of the indentation is observed, and the hardness of the material can be calculated