A new method for determining cross-sectional shape and area of soft tissues

Lee, Thay Q.<sup>1</sup>; Woo, Savio L-Y.<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹STAMP Program, Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Department of Orthopaedics, University of California, Irvine, Orange, Calif. 92668

²Orthopaedic Bioengineering Laboratory, San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center, and University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. 92030

Abstract

Assessment of the mechanical properties of soft tissues requires accurate measurement of the cross-sectional area. To date, techniques for determining cross-sectional areas of ligaments and tendons have been less than ideal due to the tissues’ complex geometries and the fact that they deform easily under an applied external load. A new procedure has been developed for determining the cross-sectional area by means of an image reconstruction technique based on measurements from collimated laser beams. Using this procedure, the actual shape of the specimen cross-section can also be determined. The results are demonstrated to be highly accurate, and this methodology does not require mechanical contact with the specimen.

Links

DOI: 10.1115/1.3108414

PubMed: 3379932

WoS: A1988N541000005

History

Received: 1987-12-18

Revised: 1998-03-01

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Cited By (29)

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1997	Debski RE. A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach to Examine the Function of the Capsuloligamentous Structures At the Glenohumeral Joint [PhD thesis]. University of Pittsburgh; 1997.
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2007	Papas NP. Potential of a Bioscaffold to Enhance the Healing of the MCL Following a Mop-End Tear: An Animal Model Study [Master's thesis]. University of Pittsburgh; 2007.
2010	Fisher MB. Functional Tissue Engineering of the Healing Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach [PhD thesis]. University of Pittsburgh; 2010.
2011	Feola AJ. Impact of Vaginal Synthetic Prolapse Meshes on the Mechanics of the Host Tissue Response [PhD thesis]. University of Pittsburgh; 2011.
2005	Chandrashekar NK. Sex-Based Difference in the Morphology, Tensile Properties and Ultrastructure of the Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Patellar Tendon [PhD thesis]. Lubboch, TX: Texas Tech University; December 2005.
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2011	Weber JF. Mechanical Property Quantification of Tendons Using Improved Methodologies [Master's thesis]. University of Guelph; February 2011.