Fig. 1 Theoretical model of an aortic medial tissue illustrating the mechanical balance between SML and EL in the unloaded state (originally proposed by Matsumoto et al. [ 6 ]). SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. More about this image found in Theoretical model of an aortic medial tissue illustrating the mechanical ba...

Fig. 2 Unit structure representing a segment of the circular arc in the aortic medial ring. SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. More about this image found in Unit structure representing a segment of the circular arc in the aortic med...

Fig. 3 Definition of EL waviness in the unloaded state and cross section of the unit structure. EL, elastic lamina. ( a ) Definition of EL waviness and ( b ) definition of cross section. More about this image found in Definition of EL waviness in the unloaded state and cross section of the un...

Fig. 4 Reference configuration of an aortic medial ring model. SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. More about this image found in Reference configuration of an aortic medial ring model. SML, smooth muscle ...

Fig. 5 Three-dimensional contour plot of SML and EL residual stresses and EL waviness at the unloaded state obtained by multi-objective optimization. SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. More about this image found in Three-dimensional contour plot of SML and EL residual stresses and EL wavin...

Fig. 6 Maximum principal stress distribution of the aortic medial ring obtained in the unloaded state. Note that a mechanical balance was maintained between SMLs and ELs with the generated tensile and compressive residual stresses, respectively. SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. More about this image found in Maximum principal stress distribution of the aortic medial ring obtained in...

Fig. 7 Mechanical responses of each layer in the unloaded state and configuration change of Model A with a radial cut. SML, smooth muscle cell layer; EL, elastic lamina. ( a ) SML stress distribution in each layer. ( b ) EL stress distribution in each layer. ( c ) EL waviness and buckled ELs in ea... More about this image found in Mechanical responses of each layer in the unloaded state and configuration ...