Elastic Properties a Collagen-Based Brain Tissue Phantom Under High Compressive Load

We report an experimental rheological study of a collagen-based hydrogel phantom aimed at mimicking the physical properties of the brain's parenchyma. It is shown that the stress-strain relation during the cycle of loading/unloading corresponds (in the range up to 25 % strain) to values typical for the brain tissue and resemble its rheological properties under high loads in general. The experimental data are fitted using the fitting Ogden model and commented on the structural deformations as based on microscopic photos. A discussion of the biophysical implications of using such a soft matter for physical modelling is provided.