Image-guided morphological measurement for the circumferential residual strains in aortic arch of rabbit

The physiological functions and pathological features of the vessel are related to its mechanical environment, and the mechanical properties of vessel have played the important role in the cardiovascnlar and cerebrovascular diseases. In order to quantify residual strains in aortic arch ultimately, elliptic curve fitness method which combines computerized measurements of images, are presented. And the cross-sectional configuration parameters of rabbit aortic arch in the non-loaded state, such as semi major/minor axis, thickness of arterial wall, were measured. The results of the experiment and measurement indicate that aortic arch in the non-loaded state is elliptic cross-section in its curved section but is circular cross section in its straight section. Furthermore, the whole aortic arch is cone-shaped in axial direction, which agrees well with the physiologic practice. Simultaneously, circumferential distribution of averaged thickness is nearly uniform in the non-loaded state. However, axial distribution of averaged thickness is not uniform any longer. All these results are the necessary information for further research on the mechanical features of the vessel, and corresponding numerical investigation of residual strains in vessels will be carried out in subsequent work.