Amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device

Abstract

This invention discloses an amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device, relating to the field of membrane biomaterial research technology. It includes a fixed frame, a first clamping block assembly, a second clamping block assembly, a driving mechanism, and a monitoring device. The first and / or second clamping block assemblies are slidably disposed within the fixed frame, and the driving mechanism is fixedly disposed on the fixed frame. The driving mechanism can drive the first and second clamping block assemblies to move closer or further apart. Each clamping block assembly includes an upper clamping block, a lower clamping block, and a clamping locking mechanism. One of the upper and lower clamping blocks has a meshing groove, and the other has a meshing tooth. The two ends of the amniotic membrane are respectively fixed to the two clamping block assemblies. The clamping locking mechanism is a magnetic suction element. A microscope can be aligned with the amniotic membrane between the first and second clamping block assemblies. The monitoring device is used to monitor the operating parameters of the driving mechanism. This invention enables real-time in-situ observation in conjunction with a microscope and provides a stable clamping effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of membrane biomaterials research technology, and in particular to an amnion mechanical tensile loading measurement device. Background Technology

[0002] The mechanical properties of biological soft tissues are the core basis for revealing their physiological functions, pathological changes and engineering applications. As a biological soft tissue with special mechanical properties, the uniaxial tensile mechanical behavior of human amnion is closely related to clinical and basic research such as the mechanism of amnion rupture during pregnancy and the development of tissue engineering repair materials.

[0003] Existing biomaterial tensile loading measurement equipment suffers from numerous technical shortcomings when conducting uniaxial tensile mechanical tests on low-modulus, highly elastic, and easily deformable biological soft tissues such as the human amnion, making it difficult to meet the requirements of precise and microscopic research. Firstly, the design of the fixation clamps for the human amnion is flawed. Conventional clamps offer poor holding performance and cannot flexibly adjust the clamping force according to the thickness and elastic properties of the amnion, easily leading to slippage, uneven stress, and even localized pressure damage during stretching, directly affecting the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. Secondly, traditional stretching equipment is large and heavy, and its overall structural design does not consider compatibility with high-resolution optical microscopes. The relative position of the observation window and microscope lens is also poorly designed, making it impossible to achieve real-time in-situ microscopic observation of the amnion during stretching, and difficult to simultaneously acquire mechanical property data and microstructural change information. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an amnion mechanical tensile loading measurement device to solve the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can be used in conjunction with a microscope for real-time in-situ observation and has a stable clamping effect.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: This invention provides an amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device, comprising a fixed frame, a first clamping block assembly, a second clamping block assembly, a driving mechanism, and a monitoring device. The first clamping block assembly and / or the second clamping block assembly are slidably disposed within the fixed frame. The driving mechanism is fixedly disposed on the fixed frame and can drive the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly to move closer or further apart. The first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly have the same structure, each including an upper clamping block, a lower clamping block, and a clamping locking mechanism. One of the upper clamping block and the lower clamping block is provided with a meshing groove, and the other is provided with a meshing tooth. The amniotic membrane is placed between the meshing groove and the meshing tooth, and both ends of the amniotic membrane are respectively fixed to the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The clamping locking mechanism includes a first magnetic suction member and a second magnetic suction member. The first magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the upper clamping block, and the second magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the lower clamping block. The first magnetic suction member and the second magnetic suction member are magnetically connected. A microscope can be aligned with the amniotic membrane between the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The monitoring device is used to monitor the operating parameters of the driving mechanism.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fixed frame includes two transverse support plates and two longitudinal support plates, which together form a rectangle. The two longitudinal support plates are provided with stepped slide rails along their length. The bottom of the lower clamping block of the first clamping block assembly and the lower clamping block of the second clamping block assembly both have stepped sliders. The first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly are slidably disposed within the fixed frame.

[0007] In some embodiments, the clamping block assembly further includes a pull clamping platform, which is disposed at the bottom of the lower clamping block and fixedly connected to the lower clamping block. The pull clamping platform has a threaded hole. The driving mechanism includes a drive motor and a lead screw. The output end of the drive motor is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw, and the other end of the lead screw is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate. The two ends of the lead screw have opposite thread directions. The pull clamping platforms of the first clamping block assembly and the pull clamping platforms of the second clamping block assembly are respectively threaded onto the two ends of the lead screw.

[0008] In some embodiments, the lead screw includes a first lead screw and a second lead screw, the first lead screw and the second lead screw have opposite thread directions, and the first lead screw and the second lead screw are connected by a first coupling. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the end of the first lead screw away from the second lead screw by a second coupling. The end of the second lead screw away from the first lead screw is connected to a third coupling, and the third coupling is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate.

[0009] In some embodiments, a slide assembly is also included, which is slidably disposed within the fixed frame and located between the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The slide assembly includes a slide stage, a slide, and a slide locking mechanism. The slide covers the slide stage, the amnion is located on the slide, and the slide locking mechanism is used to lock the slide stage and the slide relative to each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the glass slide assembly further includes a platform, which includes a first inclined plate, a second inclined plate, and a flat plate. The two ends of the flat plate are fixedly connected to the top of the first inclined plate and the top of the second inclined plate, respectively. The slide stage is fixedly disposed on the flat plate. The bottom of the first inclined plate and the bottom of the second inclined plate both have stepped sliders, which can be fitted with stepped slide rails.

[0011] In some embodiments, both the meshing teeth and the meshing grooves are barbed, and the hook-shaped openings of the first clamping block assembly and the hook-shaped openings of the second clamping block assembly are arranged back to back.

[0012] In some embodiments, the lower surface of the upper clamping block and the upper surface of the lower clamping block are both coated with a flexible silicone rubber material layer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the longitudinal support plate is vertically arranged, and the longitudinal support plate is mortised and tenoned with the transverse support plate and further locked with screws. The longitudinal support plate is hollowed out.

[0014] In some embodiments, the center of the slide, the center of the amniotic membrane sample held by the clamping assembly, and the center of the microscope objective are all on the same vertical line, and the center of the slide and the midpoint of the longitudinal support plate are on the same horizontal plane.

[0015] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: The amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device provided by this invention adopts a concave-convex interlocking clamping structure of meshing grooves and meshing teeth. The amniotic membrane is pressed between the meshing grooves and meshing teeth, forming a mechanical interlocking effect, which greatly improves the static friction between the clamping blocks and the amniotic membrane. From a structural perspective, it completely avoids the problem of slippage and displacement of the amniotic membrane during the stretching process. At the same time, it is equipped with a magnetic clamp locking mechanism. The magnetic connection of the first magnetic suction component and the second magnetic suction component realizes the flexible locking of the upper and lower clamping blocks. The magnetic suction force is evenly applied to the clamping surface. It can adapt to amniotic membrane samples of different thicknesses and elasticities without manual adjustment, and avoids local pressure damage and uneven stress on the amniotic membrane caused by rigid locking. This device ensures the accurate and reliable mechanical response of the amnion under natural stretching, providing a core guarantee for the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. The overall structural layout is designed around the needs of microscopic observation. The microscope can be precisely aligned with the stretching area of ​​the amnion between the two clamping components, with no structural obstruction to the observation field. The amnion is horizontally fixed between the two clamping blocks, remaining within the optimal observation range of the microscope throughout the stretching process. This allows for simultaneous uniaxial stretching loading and high-resolution microscopic observation, capturing in real-time microstructural changes such as deformation, collagen fiber rearrangement, damage initiation, and propagation during amnion stretching, enabling real-time in-situ observation in conjunction with the microscope. The drive mechanism, fixed to the fixed frame, moves the two clamping components closer / away, achieving active control of uniaxial amnion stretching. Combined with real-time monitoring of the drive mechanism's operating parameters by the monitoring device, it can accurately acquire and record key parameters such as stretching rate, displacement, and load, achieving quantitative control of the amnion stretching process and avoiding experimental errors caused by uneven stretching rates or sudden load changes. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top view of the amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measuring device in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measuring device in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measuring device in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the upper and lower clamping blocks in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the upper clamping block and the lower clamping block in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the glass-carrying assembly in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a front view of an exploded view of a glass-carrying assembly in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a side view of an exploded view of a glass-carrying assembly in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the clamping block assembly in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a front view of an exploded view of the clamping block assembly in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a side view of an exploded view of a clamping block assembly in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: 1-Horizontal support plate; 2-Longitudinal support plate; 3-First clamping block assembly; 4-Second clamping block assembly; 5-Slide assembly; 51-Slide locking mechanism; 52-Slide stage; 53-Slide; 54-Base; 6-Drive mechanism; 61-Drive motor; 62-Screw; 7-Second coupling; 8-Third coupling; 9-Upper clamping block; 91-Meshing teeth; 10-Lower clamping block; 101-Meshing groove; 11-Clamping locking mechanism; 12-First coupling; 13-Pulling clamping stage. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] The purpose of this invention is to provide an amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can be used in conjunction with a microscope for real-time in-situ observation and has a stable clamping effect.

[0021] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] like Figures 1-11As shown, the present invention provides an amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device, including a fixed frame, a first clamping block assembly 3, a second clamping block assembly 4, a driving mechanism 6, and a monitoring device. The first clamping block assembly 3 and / or the second clamping block assembly 4 are slidably disposed within the fixed frame, and the driving mechanism 6 is fixedly disposed on the fixed frame. The driving mechanism 6 can drive the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 to move closer or further apart. The first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 have the same structure, both including an upper clamping block 9, a lower clamping block 10, and a clamp locking mechanism 11. One of the upper clamping block 9 and the lower clamping block 10 is provided with a meshing groove 10. Another part is provided with meshing teeth 91. The amnion is placed between the meshing groove 101 and the meshing teeth 91, and the two ends of the amnion are fixed to the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 respectively. The clamp locking mechanism 11 includes a first magnetic suction member and a second magnetic suction member. The first magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the upper clamping block 9, and the second magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the lower clamping block 10. The first magnetic suction member and the second magnetic suction member are magnetically connected. The magnetic suction force range of the clamp locking mechanism 11 is 50-80N. The microscope can be aligned with the amnion between the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4. The monitoring device is used to monitor the working parameters of the drive mechanism 6. The system employs a concave-convex interlocking clamping structure with meshing grooves 101 and meshing teeth 91. The amniotic membrane is pressed tightly between the meshing grooves 101 and meshing teeth 91, forming a mechanical interlocking effect. This significantly increases the static friction between the clamping blocks and the amniotic membrane, structurally preventing slippage and displacement of the amniotic membrane during stretching. Simultaneously, a magnetic clamping locking mechanism 11 is used. The magnetic connection between the first and second magnetic components achieves flexible locking of the upper and lower clamping blocks 10. The magnetic force is evenly applied to the clamping surface, allowing for adaptation to amniotic membrane samples of different thicknesses and elasticities without manual adjustment. This also avoids localized pressure damage and uneven stress on the amniotic membrane caused by rigid locking, ensuring... The device verifies the true and effective mechanical response of the amnion under natural stretching, providing a core guarantee for the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. The overall structural layout of the device is designed around the needs of microscopic observation. The microscope can be precisely aligned with the stretching area of ​​the amnion between the two clamping components, with no structural obstruction to the observation field. The amnion is horizontally fixed between the two clamping blocks, remaining within the optimal observation range of the microscope throughout the stretching process. This allows for simultaneous uniaxial stretching loading and high-resolution microscopic observation, enabling real-time capture of microstructural changes during amnion stretching, such as deformation, collagen fiber rearrangement, damage initiation, and propagation, in conjunction with real-time in-situ observation using the microscope. The drive mechanism 6, fixed to the fixed frame, moves the two clamping components closer / away, enabling active control of uniaxial stretching of the amnion. Combined with real-time monitoring of the drive mechanism 6's operating parameters, it can accurately acquire and record key parameters such as stretching rate, displacement, and load, achieving quantitative control of the amnion stretching process and avoiding experimental errors caused by uneven stretching rates or sudden load changes.

[0023] In some embodiments, the fixed frame includes two transverse support plates 1 and two longitudinal support plates 2, which together form a rectangle. The two longitudinal support plates 2 are provided with stepped slide rails along their length. The lower clamping block 10 of the first clamping block assembly 3 and the lower clamping block 10 of the second clamping block assembly 4 both have stepped sliders at their bottoms. Both the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 are slidably disposed within the fixed frame. The two transverse support plates 1 and the two longitudinal support plates 2 together form a regular rectangular fixed frame, creating a symmetrical rigid structure subjected to forces from all four directions. Compared to a fragmented frame, its overall torsional and deformation resistance is significantly improved, effectively counteracting the torque transmitted by the drive mechanism 6 and the reaction force of the clamping block assemblies during the stretching process, preventing the frame from warping or shifting, and ensuring the basic stability of the device throughout the stretching process. The stepped slide rail of the longitudinal support plate 2 and the stepped slider at the bottom of the lower clamping block 10 of the clamping block assembly form a multi-faceted mortise and tenon sliding fit. Compared with traditional single rails and flat slide rails, the stepped structure restricts the lateral swing and circumferential rotation of the clamping block assembly through the limiting constraints of multiple contact surfaces, and only retains the linear motion freedom along the length of the slide rail. This ensures that the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 always slide along a strict uniaxial direction during the stretching process, avoids lateral displacement and oblique stretching of the amnion, ensures the standardization of uniaxial tensile mechanical testing, and improves the accuracy of tensile displacement.

[0024] Specifically, each stepped slide rail comprises a first step surface and a second step surface. The height of the first step surface is lower than that of the second step surface, and the second step surface is located outside the first step surface. The stepped slider comprises a third step surface and a fourth step surface. The height of the third step surface is higher than that of the fourth step surface, and the fourth step surface is located outside the third step surface. The third step surface abuts against the top surface of the first step surface, and the fourth step surface abuts against the top surface of the second step surface. These multiple step surfaces form surface contact limits at two different height levels, restricting the lateral displacement of the clamping block assembly along the width of the slide rail while preventing circumferential rotation and vertical warping around the sliding direction, retaining only linear motion freedom along the length of the slide rail. This multi-dimensional limiting ensures the sliding trajectory of the clamping block assembly is completely fixed, guaranteeing that the amnion is always stretched along a strictly uniaxial direction. This avoids oblique force and uneven local stretching of the amnion caused by clamp offset, ensuring the standardization and accuracy of uniaxial tensile testing from the perspective of the sliding structure.

[0025] In addition, when only one clamping block assembly is slidably disposed within the fixed frame, the other clamping block assembly is fixedly disposed within the fixed frame, which can be a mortise and tenon joint. The output end of the drive mechanism 6 is fixedly connected to the slidably disposed clamping block assembly and can drive the slidably disposed clamping block assembly away from or towards the fixedly disposed clamping block assembly. The drive mechanism 6 can adopt a drive motor 61 or a hydraulic cylinder, etc. When the drive motor 61 is used, the output shaft of the drive motor 61 is fixedly connected to the end of the lead screw 62, and the slidably disposed clamping block assembly is threaded onto the lead screw 62.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the monitoring device includes a motor control module, a rotation count sensor, and a speed sensor. The motor control module is electrically connected to the motor, and the rotation count sensor and speed sensor are electrically connected to the motor's output shaft and the control module, respectively, for real-time acquisition of the motor's rotation count and speed data and feedback to the motor control module. It also includes a data storage module, electrically connected to the motor control module, for storing motor operating parameters and mechanical data related to the stretching process of the amnion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the clamping block assembly further includes a pull clamping platform 13, which is disposed at the bottom of the lower clamping block 10 and fixedly connected to the lower clamping block 10. The pull clamping platform 13 has a threaded hole. The driving mechanism 6 includes a drive motor 61 and a lead screw 62. The output end of the drive motor 61 is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw 62, and the other end of the lead screw 62 is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate 1. The two ends of the lead screw 62 have opposite thread directions. The pull clamping platforms 13 of the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 are respectively threaded onto the two ends of the lead screw 62. The two ends of the lead screw 62 are designed with opposite thread directions. When the drive motor 61 drives the lead screw 62 to rotate, the two pull clamping platforms 13 will move synchronously, in opposite directions, and at the same speed along the lead screw 62, thereby driving the two clamping block assemblies to move away from or towards each other synchronously. This design ensures that the stretching displacement and rate at both ends of the amnion are completely consistent, guaranteeing uniform tension along a single axis from a driving perspective. This avoids localized stress concentration and oblique stretching of the amnion caused by asynchronous stretching at both ends, and avoids the uneven stretching problem that easily occurs with traditional single-sided drives. One end of the clamping platform 13 is fixedly connected to the lower clamping block 10, and the other end is connected to the lead screw 62 through a threaded hole. At the same time, the stepped slider at the bottom of the lower clamping block 10 is adapted to the slide rail of the longitudinal support plate 2. The clamping platform 13 becomes the connecting hub of the clamping block assembly, the lead screw 62 drive, and the slide rail guide. This allows the rotational motion of the lead screw 62 to be precisely converted into the linear motion of the clamping block assembly along the slide rail through the clamping platform 13, achieving a precise coordination of drive transmission and sliding guidance. This ensures that the motion trajectory of the clamping block assembly is highly matched with the transmission parameters of the lead screw 62, improving the accuracy of the stretching displacement.

[0028] In some embodiments, the lead screw 62 includes a first lead screw and a second lead screw, with the first and second lead screws having opposite thread directions. The first and second lead screws are connected via a first coupling 12. The output shaft of the drive motor 61 is connected to the end of the first lead screw furthest from the second lead screw via a second coupling 7. The end of the second lead screw furthest from the first lead screw is connected to a third coupling 8, which is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate 1. The first coupling 12 specifically connects the first and second lead screws, integrating the two lead screws with opposite thread directions into a synchronously driven unit. This ensures that when the drive motor 61 drives the first lead screw to rotate, the second lead screw can rotate synchronously and at the same speed without slippage or lag. This rotational consistency directly guarantees that the clamping tables 13 fitted at both ends of the lead screw move synchronously in opposite directions, avoiding inconsistent stretching rates and displacements at both ends of the amnion due to asynchronous transmission between the lead screw segments. Three couplings form a full-link error compensation system: the second coupling 7 compensates for the coaxiality error between the output shaft of the drive motor 61 and the first lead screw; the first coupling 12 compensates for the inter-segment assembly error between the first and second lead screws; and the third coupling 8 compensates for the shaft system error in the rotatable connection between the second lead screw and the transverse support plate 1. Minor radial, angular, and axial deviations in each shaft system can be flexibly compensated by the couplings, avoiding shaft jamming and additional stress concentration caused by rigid connections, preventing wear and deformation of the lead screw, motor bearings, and support plate connection points, ensuring long-term stable operation of the transmission system, and avoiding fluctuations in the tensile rate due to errors.

[0029] In some embodiments, the amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading measurement device further includes a glass slide assembly 5, which is slidably disposed within a fixed frame and located between the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4. The glass slide assembly 5 includes a slide stage 52, a glass slide 53, and a slide locking mechanism 51. The glass slide 53 covers the slide stage 52, and the amniotic membrane is located on the glass slide 53. The slide locking mechanism 51 is used to lock the slide stage 52 and the glass slide 53 relative to each other. Specifically, the slide locking mechanism 51 can adopt a snap-on structure or a bolt structure. As a low-modulus, thin biological soft tissue, the amniotic membrane is prone to vertical drooping and bending due to its own weight when stretched without support, or to irregular deformation due to tensile force. This results in the actual stretching being a combination of bending and stretching rather than a standard pure uniaxial stretch, which seriously affects the accuracy of mechanical parameter measurement. The amnion is placed on an optical-grade rigid glass slide 53, which provides a horizontal and flat support surface for the amnion. With the locking mechanism 51, the amnion is confined within the plane, ensuring that the amnion only undergoes axial deformation along the stretching direction of the clamp during the stretching process. This fundamentally avoids test errors caused by flexure and irregular deformation, and ensures the authenticity and standardization of mechanical data such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break.

[0030] In some embodiments, the glass carrier assembly 5 further includes a base 54, which includes a first inclined plate, a second inclined plate, and a flat plate. The two ends of the flat plate are fixedly connected to the tops of the first and second inclined plates, respectively. A slide stage 52 is fixedly mounted on the flat plate. Specifically, the base 54 and the slide stage 52 are connected via a double tenon and mortise structure. The slide 53 is a quartz glass slide with a thickness of 1-1.5 mm. Both the bottom of the first and second inclined plates have stepped sliders that can fit snugly against stepped slide rails. The base 54 adopts an integrated molding structure of the first inclined plate, the second inclined plate, and the flat plate. The two inclined plates and the flat plate form a triangular support system, which geometrically improves the torsional and deformation resistance compared to a single flat plate base. This effectively counteracts the stress generated by slight vibrations of the device and sliding of the glass carrier assembly 5 during the stretching process, preventing warping or tilting of the slide stage 52 and the slide 53, and ensuring that the amnion is always in a horizontal and flat supported state. The pedestal 54, via an inclined plate, raises the flat plate and slide stage 52 to a suitable height within the frame, ensuring that the amniotic membrane stretching area on the slide 53 is precisely within the optimal observation working distance of the microscope objective lens. This avoids problems such as blurred imaging and incomplete field of view caused by observation distances that are too close or too far. At the same time, the raised horizontal support surface ensures that the microscope's optical path is perpendicularly aligned with the central region of the amniotic membrane, reducing imaging errors caused by light refraction and reflection, and further improving the clarity and accuracy of microscopic observations.

[0031] Specifically, the stepped sliders at the bottom of both the first and second inclined plates include a fifth step surface and a sixth step surface. The fifth step surface is higher than the sixth step surface and is located outside the sixth step surface. The fifth step surface abuts against the top surface of the first step surface, and the sixth step surface abuts against the top surface of the second step surface. Furthermore, the stepped design allows the glass assembly 5 to be easily and independently disassembled. After removing the glass assembly 5, the device can be adapted for optical tensile testing of common materials.

[0032] In some embodiments, both the meshing teeth 91 and the meshing grooves 101 are barbed, and the hook-shaped openings of the first clamping block assembly 3 and the second clamping block assembly 4 are arranged back-to-back. That is, when the amnion is stretched, the barbs formed by the meshing teeth 91 and the meshing grooves 101 can hook the amnion to achieve mutual stretching. When the barbed meshing teeth 91 and the meshing grooves 101 are engaged, it is not a simple planar pressing, but a mechanical interlocking structure similar to a hook. The amnion is clamped in the gap between the barbs. The greater the tensile force, the stronger the hooking force of the barbs on the amnion, forming a tensile force self-locking at the structural level. Compared with ordinary straight tooth / flat groove clamping, it completely avoids the slippage and displacement problems that occur during the stretching process due to the high elasticity and low modulus characteristics of the amnion, ensuring the stability of the clamping.

[0033] In some embodiments, the lower surface of the upper clamping block 9 and the upper surface of the lower clamping block 10 are both coated with a flexible silicone rubber material layer with a thickness of 0.5-1 mm. Silicone rubber itself has a high coefficient of friction, and the 0.5-1 mm flexible coating allows the clamping block contact surface to form a tight, flexible contact with the amniotic membrane, increasing static friction several times compared to the rigid contact surface of metal / hard plastic. This coating, together with the barbed meshing teeth 91 groove, forms a dual anti-slip system of structural engagement and material friction enhancement. Even if the amniotic membrane undergoes slight deformation under tension, friction can firmly restrict its slippage, completely eliminating the problem of amniotic membrane slippage during stretching and further improving clamping stability.

[0034] In some embodiments, the longitudinal support plate 2 is vertically arranged, and the longitudinal support plate 2 is mortised and tenoned with the transverse support plate 1 and further tightened with screws of M3-M5 specifications. The longitudinal support plate 2 is hollowed out. The mortise and tenon structure provides precise mechanical positioning. During assembly, the longitudinal and transverse support plates 1 are fitted together by the mortise and tenon, which can quickly achieve precise alignment of their coaxiality and parallelism. The screws provide rigid locking reinforcement. Based on the mortise and tenon positioning, the screws are further tightened, transforming the surface contact positioning of the mortise and tenon into rigid fixation, ensuring that the frame connection parts are gapless and loose. The hollowed-out design of the longitudinal support plate 2 is one of the key designs for the lightweight and miniaturization of the device. While ensuring the structural strength of the support plate and the rigidity of the slide rail installation area, the hollowing out removes redundant material, significantly reducing the overall weight and volume of the device. This facilitates the direct placement of the device on the stage of precision optical instruments such as two-photon microscopes, avoiding damage to microscope components due to excessive weight. It also allows the device to flexibly adapt to the usage space of microscopes of different sizes, solving the pain points of traditional stretching equipment being heavy and having poor compatibility with microscopes.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the longitudinal support plate 2 guide rail is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wear-resistant coating with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm. After coating the inner wall of the guide rail with the PTFE wear-resistant coating, the hard contact between the stepped slider and the guide rail is transformed into a flexible, low-friction contact through the coating, significantly reducing the frictional resistance during relative sliding. This allows the clamping block assembly to achieve uniform, smooth, and precise sliding under the drive of the lead screw 62, avoiding fluctuations in the stretching rate caused by sudden changes in resistance and ensuring the uniformity of the amniotic membrane's uniaxial stretching; it also allows the glass carrier assembly 5 to adaptively and synchronously slide with the stretching of the amniotic membrane without additional resistance interference.

[0036] It should be noted that the transverse support plate 1, longitudinal support plate 2, clamping stage 13, and base 54 are all 3D printed parts made of polylactic acid (PLA), while the lead screw 62 is made of aluminum alloy. PLA is a lightweight and environmentally friendly polymer 3D printing material with a density much lower than that of metal. The use of PLA for frame structural components such as transverse support plate 1 and longitudinal support plate 2, as well as auxiliary structural components such as clamping stage 13 and base 54, significantly reduces the overall weight of the device. This solves the problem of traditional metal frame stretching equipment being too heavy and unable to be directly placed on the stage of precision optical instruments such as two-photon microscopes. It also avoids damage to microscope components due to excessive weight, while making the device easier to move and arrange, adapting to diverse laboratory experimental scenarios. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of PLA does not increase the sliding load on the slide rails and sliders, ensuring the smooth sliding of the clamping block assembly and glass mounting assembly 5. The lead screw 62 is the core component of the device's drive transmission. It directly bears the tensile load and transmits rotational motion. The aluminum alloy material has the characteristics of high strength, high rigidity, and good dimensional stability, which can effectively resist the torque and tension during the stretching process, prevent the lead screw 62 from bending, deforming, or experiencing thread wear, and ensure the transmission accuracy of the lead screw 62.

[0037] In some embodiments, the center of the slide 53, the center of the amniotic membrane sample held by the clamping assembly, and the center of the microscope objective are all on the same vertical line, and the center of the slide 53 and the midpoint of the longitudinal support plate 2 are on the same horizontal plane. The optimal imaging effect of the microscope objective is that the optical path is perpendicular to the center of the observation target. The fact that the three are on the same vertical line allows the optical path of the microscope objective to be perpendicular to the core area of ​​the amniotic membrane stretching along the vertical direction, avoiding problems such as imaging distortion, incomplete field of view, and magnification deviation caused by optical path deviation. At the same time, the center of the amniotic membrane sample coincides with the center of the slide 53, so that the key areas of amniotic membrane stretching (deformation, fiber rearrangement, damage initiation area) are completely within the optically optimal observation surface of the slide 53, without optical interference such as edge refraction and uneven glass thickness. This ensures that the microscopic images of the amniotic membrane captured by the microscope are clear, realistic, and without distortion, providing accurate imaging data for the study of micromechanical mechanisms.

[0038] The specific workflow for different testing needs is as follows: High-precision monitoring of amnion After the installation is complete, take a rectangular human amniotic membrane sample, open the upper clamp 9, and place the wide side of the rectangular human amniotic membrane sample across the engagement groove 101 onto the lower clamp 10. Place the two wide sides onto the two lower clamps 10 respectively. After placement, close the upper clamp 9 so that the center of the rectangular human amniotic membrane sample is exactly at the center of the slide 53, thus completing sample fixation. Place the entire device under a photon microscope, ensuring that the photon microscope objective lens, the center of the rectangular human amniotic membrane, and the center of the slide 53 are on a vertical line. Set the stretching parameters in the control system according to experimental requirements, such as motor rotation speed and number of motor rotations. Start the drive system, and the stepper motor drives the lead screw 62 to begin stretching the human amniotic membrane. During the stretching process, the rotation sensor monitors the number of motor rotations in real time, and the speed sensor measures the motor speed. These data are fed back to the control system for display and recording. Finally, combined with photon microscopy, data such as fiber orientation changes and strain of the human amniotic membrane sample during uniaxial stretching are obtained.

[0039] Monitoring of ordinary low-precision working conditions After the installation is complete, remove the slide stage 52 mechanism, including the base 54, slide stage 52, slide 53, and slide locking mechanism 51. Take a rectangular human amniotic membrane sample, open the upper clamp 9, and place the wide side of the rectangular human amniotic membrane sample across the engagement groove 101 onto the lower clamp 10. Place the two wide sides onto the two lower clamp 10 respectively. After placement, close the upper clamp 9 to fix the sample. Place the entire device under the material optical testing apparatus and begin the test. Set the stretching parameters in the control system according to the experimental requirements, such as the motor rotation speed and the number of motor rotations. Start the drive system, and the stepper motor drives the lead screw 62 to stretch the human amniotic membrane. During the stretching process, the rotation sensor monitors the number of motor rotations in real time, and the speed sensor measures the motor speed. These data are fed back to the control system for display and recording. Finally, the test data of the human amniotic membrane sample during uniaxial stretching are obtained using the material optical testing apparatus.

[0040] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for measuring amniotic membrane mechanical tensile loading, characterized in that: The device includes a fixed frame, a first clamping block assembly, a second clamping block assembly, a drive mechanism, and a monitoring device. The first clamping block assembly and / or the second clamping block assembly are slidably disposed within the fixed frame. The drive mechanism is fixedly disposed on the fixed frame and can drive the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly to move closer or further apart. The first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly have the same structure, each including an upper clamping block, a lower clamping block, and a clamping locking mechanism. One of the upper clamping block and the lower clamping block is provided with a meshing groove, and the other is provided with a meshing tooth. The amniotic membrane is placed between the meshing groove and the meshing tooth, and both ends of the amniotic membrane are respectively fixed to the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The clamping locking mechanism includes a first magnetic suction member and a second magnetic suction member. The first magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the upper clamping block, and the second magnetic suction member is fixed relative to the lower clamping block. The first magnetic suction member and the second magnetic suction member are magnetically connected. A microscope can be aligned with the amniotic membrane between the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The monitoring device is used to monitor the operating parameters of the drive mechanism.

2. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed frame includes two transverse support plates and two longitudinal support plates. The two transverse support plates and the two longitudinal support plates form a rectangle. The two longitudinal support plates are provided with stepped slide rails along their length. The bottom of the lower clamping block of the first clamping block assembly and the lower clamping block of the second clamping block assembly both have stepped sliders. The first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly are slidably disposed within the fixed frame.

3. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping block assembly also includes a pull clamping platform, which is disposed at the bottom of the lower clamping block and fixedly connected to the lower clamping block. The pull clamping platform has a threaded hole. The driving mechanism includes a drive motor and a lead screw. The output end of the drive motor is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw, and the other end of the lead screw is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate. The two ends of the lead screw have opposite thread directions. The pull clamping platforms of the first clamping block assembly and the pull clamping platforms of the second clamping block assembly are respectively threaded onto the two ends of the lead screw.

4. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lead screw includes a first lead screw and a second lead screw. The first lead screw and the second lead screw have opposite thread directions and are connected by a first coupling. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the end of the first lead screw away from the second lead screw by a second coupling. The end of the second lead screw away from the first lead screw is connected to a third coupling, and the third coupling is rotatably connected to the transverse support plate.

5. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a glass slide assembly, which is slidably disposed within the fixed frame and located between the first clamping block assembly and the second clamping block assembly. The glass slide assembly includes a slide stage, a glass slide, and a slide locking mechanism. The glass slide covers the slide stage, the amnion is located on the glass slide, and the slide locking mechanism is used to lock the slide stage and the glass slide relative to each other.

6. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The glass slide assembly also includes a platform, which includes a first inclined plate, a second inclined plate, and a flat plate. The two ends of the flat plate are fixedly connected to the top of the first inclined plate and the top of the second inclined plate, respectively. The slide stage is fixedly mounted on the flat plate. The bottom of the first inclined plate and the bottom of the second inclined plate both have stepped sliders, which can fit in close contact with the stepped slide rail.

7. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the meshing teeth and the meshing grooves are barbed, and the hook-shaped openings of the first clamping block assembly and the hook-shaped openings of the second clamping block assembly are arranged back to back.

8. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the upper clamping block and the upper surface of the lower clamping block are both coated with a flexible silicone rubber material layer.

9. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The longitudinal support plate is vertically arranged, and the longitudinal support plate is mortised and tenoned with the transverse support plate and further locked with screws. The longitudinal support plate is hollow.

10. The amnion mechanical tensile loading measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The center of the glass slide, the center of the human amniotic membrane sample held by the clamping assembly, and the center of the microscope objective are all on the same vertical line, and the center of the glass slide and the midpoint of the longitudinal support plate are on the same horizontal plane.

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