Measuring collagen fiber orientation:​ a two-dimensional quantitative macroscopic technique

Dickey, J. P.; Hewlett, B. R.; Dumas, G. A.; Bednar, D. A.

Affiliations

¹Doctoral Candidate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6; present address: Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences ANNU 334 University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada NIG 2W1

²Technical Specialist and Research Associate, Department of Anatomical Pathology, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5

³Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6

⁴Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, LBS 4K1

Abstract

This paper describes the design, evaluation, and application of a new system for quantifying two-dimensional collagen fiber orientation in soft tissue. Series of transmitted polarized light images were collected using a custom-designed macroscope. Combined analysis of pixel brightness, and hue from images collected with a compensator plate, permitted the assignment of each pixel into the appropriate orientation band. Experiments were performed to quantify the linearity and noise of the system. Validation was performed on a specimen composed of strain-birefringent plastic strips at various orientations. Preliminary collagen fiber orientation data is presented from a tendon specimen. This study demonstrates the utility of this approach for studying collagen fiber orientation across large areas.

Links

DOI: 10.1115/1.2798026

PubMed: 10412427

WoS: 000075756700015

History

Received: 1996-1-14

Revised: 1998-02-03

Cited By (20)

Year	Entry
2015	Crosby ND, Smith JR, Winkelstein BA. Pain biomechanics. In: Yoganandan N, Nahum AM, Melvin JW, eds. Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2015:549-580.
2006	Quinn KP, Winkelstein BA. Application of quantitative polarized light techniques for characterizing ligament fiber kinematics during facet joint loading. In: Proceedings of the 34th International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. 2006.119-132.
2008	Quinn KP, Winkelstein BA. Regional changes in collagen fiber alignment may identify the onset of damage in the facet capsular ligament. In: Proceedings of the 36th International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. November 2, 2008; San Antonio, TX.
2007	Quinn KP, Lee KE, Ahaghotu CC, Winkelstein BA. Structural changes in the cervical facet capsular ligament: potential contributions to pain following subfailure loading. Stapp Car Crash J. 2007;51:169-187. SAE 2007-22-0008.
2004	Gimbel JA, Van Kleunen JP, Mehta S, Perry SM, Williams GR, Soslowsky LJ. Supraspinatus tendon organizational and mechanical properties in a chronic rotator cuff tear animal model. J Biomech. May 2004;37(5):739-749.
2006	Thomopoulos S, Marquez JP, Weinberger B, Birman V, Genin GM. Collagen fiber orientation at the tendon to bone insertion and its influence on stress concentrations. J Biomech. 2006;39(10):1842-1851.
2003	Thomopoulos S, Williams GR, Soslowsky LJ. Tendon to bone healing: differences in biomechanical, structural, and compositional properties due to a range of activity levels. J Biomech Eng. February 2003;125(1):106-113.
2003	Thomopoulos S, Williams GR, Gimbel JA, Favata M, Soslowsky LJ. Variation of biomechanical, structural, and compositional properties along the tendon to bone insertion site. J Orthop Res. May 2003;21(3):413-419.
2009	Lake SP, Miller KS, Elliott DM, Soslowsky LJ. Effect of fiber distribution and realignment on the nonlinear and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of human supraspinatus tendon under longitudinal tensile loading. J Orthop Res. December 2009;27(12):1596-1602.
2013	Abraham AC. From Meniscus to Bone: Structure and Function of Human Meniscal Entheses and Deleterious Effects of Osteoarthritis [PhD thesis]. Colorado State University; 2013.
2006	Moore SM. Glenohumeral Capsule Should be Evaluated as a Sheet of Fibrous Tissue: A Study in Functional Anatomy [PhD thesis]. University of Pittsburgh; 2006.
1998	Dickey JP. Anatomy and Mechanics of the Human and Porcine Lumbar Interspinous Ligament [PhD thesis]. Queen's University; August 1998.
2001	Thomopoulos S. Supraspinatus Tendon to Bone Healing: Differences in Biomechanical, Structural, and Compositional Properties Due to a Range of Activity Levels [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 2001.
2010	Steeds J. Structure and Function of Healthy and Osteoarthritic Posteromedial Knee Joint Capsule [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; May 2010.
2004	Lin TW. Development and Utilization of a Transgenic Mouse Injury Model to Investigate the Role of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-6 in Tendon Healing [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2004.
2005	Gimbel JA. The Role of Tension on Supraspinatus Tendon to Bone Healing in a Newly Developed Animal Model of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2005.
2006	Favata M. Scarless Healing in the Fetus: Implications and Strategies for Postnatal Tendon Repair [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2006.
2008	Lee KE. An Engineering Approach to Understanding Painful Facet -Mediated Injury: Insights on Biomechanics and Neuropeptide Responses in a Rat Model [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2008.
2009	Lake SP. Anisotropic, Inhomogeneous and Nonlinear Structure-Function of Human Supraspinatus Tendon [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2009.
2010	Quinn KP. Integrating Electrophysiological, Mechanical, and Optical Methods to Define the Mechanisms of Painful Facet Joint Injury [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2010.