Simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging and consolidation measurement of articular cartilage

Sensors (Basel). 2014 May 5;14(5):7940-58. doi: 10.3390/s140507940.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the opportunity to study biological tissues and processes in a non-disruptive manner. The technique shows promise for the study of the load-bearing performance (consolidation) of articular cartilage and changes in articular cartilage accompanying osteoarthritis. Consolidation of articular cartilage involves the recording of two transient characteristics: the change over time of strain and the hydrostatic excess pore pressure (HEPP). MRI study of cartilage consolidation under mechanical load is limited by difficulties in measuring the HEPP in the presence of the strong magnetic fields associated with the MRI technique. Here we describe the use of MRI to image and characterize bovine articular cartilage deforming under load in an MRI compatible consolidometer while monitoring pressure with a Fabry-Perot interferometer-based fiber-optic pressure transducer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cartilage, Articular / anatomy & histology*
  • Cartilage, Articular / physiology*
  • Cattle
  • Compressive Strength / physiology
  • Elastic Modulus / physiology
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation*
  • Fiber Optic Technology / methods
  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interferometry / instrumentation*
  • Interferometry / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Transducers, Pressure*
  • Viscosity
  • Weight-Bearing / physiology*