A Useful Combination of Quantitative Ultrashort Echo Time MR Imaging and a Probing Device for Biomechanical Evaluation of Articular Cartilage

Abstract

In this study, we combined quantitative ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and an investigation by a probing device with tri-axial force sensor to seek correlations with mechanical properties of human patellar cartilage for in situ evaluation of biomechanical properties. Cartilage blocks (15 × 20 × 5 mm3) were dissected from the patella of six donors; 5 mm square regions of interest from the cartilage blocks were imaged using UTE-MR imaging sequences (T2* and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR)), and mechanical properties were measured using a micro indentation device. Then, the vertical reaction force on the cartilage surface was measured while push-probing forward 3 mm with the probing device at a 30° tilt to the horizontal plane. The results showed a positive correlation between stiffness/elastic modulus and each predictor variable (UTE-T2* (r = 0.240 and 0.255, respectively, UTE-MTR (r = 0.378 and 0.379, respectively), and probing device force (r = 0.426 and 0.423, respectively). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed the combination of the three predictors had stronger correlation (adjusted r2 = 0.314 (stiffness), 0.323 (elastic), respectively). Our results demonstrate the potential for these non- and less- invasive methods for in situ evaluation of the mechanical properties of cartilage tissue.

Articular Cartilage Assessment Using Ultrashort Echo Time MRI: A Review

“…As previously mentioned, Hananouchi et al. ( 52 ) demonstrated a positive correlation between the mechanical properties of human patellar cartilage such as stiffness/elastic modulus and MR properties such as UTE-MTR by using an indentation device.…”

“…Using an in situ model, Hananouchi et al. applied a micro-indentation device with tri-axial force sensor to demonstrate a positive correlation between stiffness/elastic modulus and each predictor variable: UTE- , UTE-MTR, and probing device force ( 52 ). In addition, multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that an even stronger correlation was achieved when all three predictors were combined, further confirming the potential of this noninvasive imaging approach for in situ evaluation of the mechanical properties of cartilage tissue.…”

Comparison of Labrum Resistance Force while Pull-Probing In Vivo and Cadaveric Hips

“…This is because the value of the resistance force can be converted to the one classical mechanical property, i.e., stiffness. Recently, it was clarified that the reaction force of articular cartilage surface while push-probing has a moderate correlation with the stiffness and elastic modulus determined by a micro-indentation device [ 12 ]. In a future study, the correlation between the resistance force value of the labrum while probing and the classical stiffness determined by a tensile tester device should be clarified.…”

The Resistance Force of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament during Pull Probing Is Related to the Mechanical Property

“…The tensile mechanical test was performed using an in-house-developed benchtop uniaxial loading device ( Figure 1 ). The actuator and load cell were the same as those of the compression device used in previous studies [ 12 , 17 ]. A rack and pinion stage (TAR-38403L-M6, Sigma Koki Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) connected the actuator and the base, which enabled adjustment of the position of the actuator in a vertical direction.…”