Uniaxial and biaxial mechanical characterization of a prosthetic mesh at different length scales.

This study is aimed at a comprehensive experimental analysis of the mechanical behavior of a prosthetic mesh considering different length scales. Uniaxial and biaxial protocols are developed to evaluate global mechanical phenomena of the dry mesh. Furthermore, procedures for local deformation analysis and evaluation of corresponding homogenized kinematic measures are described. The global mechanical response of the prosthetic mesh is characterized by anisotropy, a nonlinear force response, hysteresis and preconditioning effects. The local deformation analysis allows to identify mesh specific phenomena related to mechanisms at the unit cell level. The global and the local kinematic responses of the mesh are seen to be directly related to clinical observations and help to understand associated complications, such as wrinkle formation, dislocation or erosion. In that sense, this study contributes to the analysis of mechanical biocompatibility of mesh implants and proposes protocols for comprehensive mesh product descriptions.