As part of an ongoing program to study the thermo-mechanical effects associated with cryopreservation via vitrification (vitreous in Latin means glassy), the current study focuses on the development of a new device for mechanical testing of blood vessels at cryogenic temperatures. This device is demonstrated on a bovine carotid artery model, permeated with the cryoprotectant cocktail VS55 and a reference solution of 7.05M DMSO, below glass transition. Results are also presented for crystallized specimens, in the absence of cryoprotectants. Results indicate that the elastic modulus of a specimen with no cryoprotectant, at about −140°C (8.6 and 15.5°C below the glass transition temperature of 7.05M DMSO and VS55, respectively), is 1038.8 ± 25.2 MPa, which is 8 and 3% higher than that of a vitrified specimen permeated with 7.05M DMSO and VS55, respectively. The elastic modulus of a crystallized material at −50°C is lower by ∼20% lower from that at −140°C.

中文翻译：

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一种在低温下对血管进行机械测试的新装置

作为一项正在进行的研究与通过玻璃化冷冻保存相关的热机械效应的计划的一部分（拉丁语中的玻璃体意味着玻璃质），目前的研究重点是开发一种用于在低温下对血管进行机械测试的新设备。该装置在牛颈动脉模型上进行了演示，其中渗透了冷冻保护剂混合物 VS55 和低于玻璃化转变的 7.05M DMSO 参考溶液。在没有冷冻保护剂的情况下，还提供了结晶样品的结果。结果表明，不含冷冻保护剂的样品在约 -140°C（分别低于 7.05M DMSO 和 VS55 的玻璃化转变温度 8.6 和 15.5°C）时的弹性模量为 1038.8 ± 25.2 MPa，即 8 和比渗透 7.05M DMSO 和 VS55 的玻璃化样品高 3%，分别。结晶材料在 -50°C 下的弹性模量比在 -140°C 下的弹性模量低约 20%。