Abstract
Bone-ligament-bone (BLB) complex preparations are frequently used in biomechanical testing of soft tissue. The accurate measurement of soft tissue deformation, however, is difficult due to the complex geometry and size limitations. This study demonstrates the application of a high speed, high resolution, two-dimensional video digitizing system (VDS) in evaluating the structural and mechanical properties of bone-soft tissue-bone (B-ST-B) complexes. First, four independent, sinusoidal oscilloscope wave patterns (sweep rate of 50 mm/sec) were tracked using the VDS and the difference between the input waves and the tracked waves was less than 2%. For biomechanical testing of a B-ST-B complex, bovine femur-patellar tendon autograft-tibia (B-PTA-B) complexes were used. The results showed that the application of the VDS in tensile testing of B-PTA-B complexes allows accurate determination of the structural and biomechanical parameters in two-dimensions.