Fig. 5. (A) Typical force-time curve, obtained for the evaluation of the viscous component of the mechanical response of the disc. The curve includes three distinct parts: loading (L), the resting period (R) and unloading (U). Generally, it took 5-7 s to reach a compression force of 1 mN (L) and then the disc was kept in contact with the glass plate for 10 s (R). During the resting period, the force decreased, indicating relaxation of the tissue. (B) Force-time curve of the resting period (R) fitted with a standard linear solid viscoelastic model comprising two elastic moduli (E₀ and E₁), representing two springs connected in parallel, and one time constant (), representing a dashpot serially connected to one of the springs (inset).