A 3D Scanning System for Inverse Analysis of Moist Biological Samples: Design and Validation Using Tendon Fascicle Bundles

Abstract

<jats:p>In this article, we present the design and validation of a non-contact scanning system for the development of a three-dimensional (3D) model of moist biological samples. Due to the irregular shapes and low stiffness of soft tissue samples, the use of a non-contact, reliable geometry scanning system with good accuracy and repeatability is required. We propose a reliable 3D scanning system consisting of a blue light profile sensor, stationary and rotating frames with stepper motors, gears and a five-phase stepping motor unit, single-axis robot, control system, and replaceable sample grips, which once mounted onto the sample, are used for both scanning and mechanical tests. The proposed system was validated by comparison of the cross-sectional areas calculated based on 3D models, digital caliper, and vision-based methods. Validation was done on regularly-shaped samples, a wooden twig, as well as tendon fascicle bundles. The 3D profiles were used for the development of the 3D computational model of the sample, including surface concavities. Our system allowed for 3D model development of samples with a relative error of less than 1.2% and high repeatability in approximately three minutes. This was crucial for the extraction of the mechanical properties and subsequent inverse analysis, enabling the calibration of complex material models.</jats:p>

An in-House System for the Precise Measurement of Electrical Potentials and Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissues: Design and Validation Using Adult Mammalian Tendon Fascicle Bundles

“…Our system for the precise measurement of electrical potentials and mechanical properties of soft tissues proposed in this study was composed of an SMT equipped with the DPMPD. The proposed system also includes a 3D scanning system that we developed and was discussed in detail in our previous paper [14]. The design of the SMT and DPMPD is described in the following sections.…”

“…In order to obtain the cross-sectional area (CSA) of each sample, we used our in-house 3D scanning system, which is described in detail in our previous study [14]. For each sample, we obtained 4 scans (each 90 • ), which were then were assembled into one 3D STL model using Meshlab software.…”

“…Figure 5. The workflow diagram of validation of our developed system for the precise measurement of electrical potentials and mechanical properties of soft tissues: (A) Mounting of the tendon sample in jaws that were produced in-house, (B) scanning the sample using the 3D Scanner system [14], (C) obtaining the STL 3D model of sample geometry for calculating the average cross-sectional area, (D) mechanical testing on the SMT using the protocol presented in Figure 4 to collect time-dependent force F and strain , (E) collecting potential difference by the use of the DPMPD connected to the sample holders during mechanical testing, (F) superimposed curves of stress in time (obtained from mechanical testing) with time-dependent potential differences (obtained using the DPMPD).…”

“…In this article, we present the design and development of an in-house system for the precise measurement of electrical potentials and mechanical properties of tendons. The system includes an accurate measurement of sample geometry using a 3D scanner developed in our previous study [14] as well as a Stand for Mechanical Testing (SMT) conjugated with a Device for Precise Measurement of Potential Difference (DPMPD). The system was validated using tendon fascicle bundles derived from superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and common digital extensor tendon (CDET) of various mammals such as porcine, bovine, and deer.…”

Swept-Source-Based Chromatic Confocal Microscopy

“…Three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging is becoming increasingly important in various fields, such as the surface defect testing of tiny electronic components or measuring the 3D structure of living cells; consequently, a fast and accurate surface profiling technique is in high demand [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Among the several types of methods available for 3D surface profiling, optical technology, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy (CM), has been noticed for its high throughput without any direct contact or damage to the target sample [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”