FIG. 3.

Tensile properties of the scaffolds compared to native porcine intestine. (A) Average stress–strain curves of scaffolds with villi (n = 10), scaffolds without villi (n = 5), and native porcine small intestine (n = 9). The solid lines represent the average stress–strain curve and the dotted lines represent plus or minus one standard deviation. The tensile properties between the villus scaffolds and flat scaffolds are nearly identical, indicating that the addition of the villi does not result in stress concentrations and earlier failure. Villus scaffolds have tensile properties that are on the same scale as native intestine, but they do not match native intestine. (B) Maximum load for each group. Both the villus and flat scaffolds had statistically significantly higher maximum load compared to native intestine (p = 0.0022 and 0.0373, respectively). (C) UTS was not statistically different between groups. (D) Young's modulus (E) was statistically significantly higher in the villus scaffolds compared to the small intestine (p = 0.0231). (E) Strain at failure was statistically significantly lower in villus and flat scaffolds compared to native small intestine (p < 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively). UTS, ultimate tensile strength. *indicates statistical significance. Color images are available online.