SIMPoly: A Matlab-Based Image Analysis Tool to Measure Electrospun Polymer Scaffold Fiber Diameter

Murphy, Ryan; Turcott, Ashley; Banuelos, Leo; Dowey, Evan; Goodwin, Benjamin; Cardinal, Kristen O'Halloran

doi:10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0304

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…To quantify fibrin fiber diameter, we identified eight automated tools: DiameterJ 35 , Local Thickness plugin 36,37 , REAVER 38 , ER network analysis 39 , ACCMetrics 40,41 , CT-FIRE 24 , Quanfima 42 and SIMPoly 43 . Because a high image resolution is needed to quantify fibrin fiber diameters, we only tested these tools on STED and SEM images (Figure 3A).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The optimal thickness of fibers in images is between 10 and 25 pixels for both tools, which would require a pixel size between 10 and 25 nm for typical fibrin fibers. SIMPoly is a MATLAB-based tool that is very user-friendly 43 . The ER network analysis tool provides more user control because it has many options that can be adjusted, but it therefore requires more testing by the user for their specific images 39 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks

Vries

Laan

Frey

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Fibrous networks are essential structural components of biological and engineered materials. Accordingly, many approaches have been developed to quantify their structural properties, which define their material properties. However, a comprehensive overview and comparison of methods is lacking. Therefore, we systematically searched for automated tools quantifying network characteristics in confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and compared these tools by applying them to fibrin, a prototypical fibrous network in thrombi. Structural properties of fibrin such as fiber diameter and alignment are clinically relevant, since they influence the risk of thrombosis. Based on a systematic comparison of the automated tools with each other, manual measurements, and simulated networks, we provide guidance to choose appropriate tools for fibrous network quantification depending on imaging modality and structural parameter. These tools are often able to reliably measure relative changes in network characteristics, but absolute numbers should be interpreted with care.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks

Vries

Laan

Frey

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Ordered images had straight and evenly-spaced lines and disordered images had curved and randomly oriented lines. The average error of the GIFT macro when measuring the line diameter in these images was compared to the previously published average errors for DiameterJ and SIMPoly based on the same dataset [ 16 , 19 ]. Across the board, GIFT performs similarly or better than DiameterJ and SIMPoly when measuring disordered fibers, which are visibly very similar to the typical structure of electrospun fibers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The average error of the GIFT macro was measured using a set of synthetic images which had been created for the validation of the ImageJ plug-in, DiameterJ, and was published online for the purpose of future benchmarking experiments [ 19 ]. Average errors measured with this data set have already been published for the ImageJ-based DiameterJ histogram method and the Matlab-based image analysis tool, SIMPoly [ 16 , 17 ]. These programs serve as suitable benchmarks as they were specifically designed for fiber measurement in SEM images.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

GIFT: An ImageJ macro for automated fiber diameter quantification

et al. 2022

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This paper details the development and testing of the GIFT macro, which is a freely available program for ImageJ for the automated measurement of fiber diameters in SEM images of electrospun materials. The GIFT macro applies a validated method which distinguishes fiber diameters based on distance frequencies within an image. In this work, we introduce an applied version of the GIFT method which has been designed to be user-friendly while still allowing complete control over the various parameters involved in the image processing steps. The macro quickly processes large data sets and creates results that are reproducible and accurate. The program outputs both raw data and fiber diameter averages, so that the user can quickly assess the results and has the opportunity for further analysis if desired. The GIFT macro was compared directly to other software designed for fiber diameter measurements and was found to have comparable or lower average error, especially when measuring very small fibers, and reduced processing times per image. The macro, detailed instructions for use, and sample images are freely available online (https://github.com/IBMTRostock/GIFT). We believe that the GIFT macro is a valuable new tool for researchers looking to quickly, easily and reliably assess fiber diameters in electrospun materials.

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“…Two samples from remote locations on each membrane were plasma sputter-coated with platinum and imaged on a JEOL 6500F Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (Peabody, MA, USA). Three images per sample were captured, and the average fiber diameter in each image was determined using SIMPoly, a MATLAB-based image analysis tool [35]. SEM imaging was performed in the same manner for samples which had soaked in PBS for 28 days.…”

Section: Membrane Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Electrospun PCL-PLGA for Sustained Delivery of Kartogenin

et al. 2022

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In this study, kartogenin was incorporated into an electrospun blend of polycaprolactone and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (1:1) to determine the feasibility of this system for sustained drug delivery. Kartogenin is a small-molecule drug that could enhance the outcome of microfracture, a cartilage restoration procedure, by selectively stimulating chondrogenic differentiation of endogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Experimental results showed that kartogenin did not affect the electrospinnability of the polymer blend, and it had negligible effects on fiber morphology and scaffold mechanical properties. The loading efficiency of kartogenin into electrospun membranes was nearly 100%, and no evidence of chemical reaction between kartogenin and the polymers was detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the released drug using high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection indicated an abundance of kartogenin and only a small amount of its major hydrolysis product. Kartogenin displayed a typical biphasic release profile, with approximately 30% being released within 24 h followed by a much slower, constant rate of release up to 28 days. Although additional development is needed to tune the release kinetics and address issues common to electrospun scaffolds (e.g., high fiber density), the results of this study demonstrated that a scaffold electrospun from biodegradable synthetic polymers is a suitable kartogenin delivery vehicle.

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SIMPoly: A Matlab-Based Image Analysis Tool to Measure Electrospun Polymer Scaffold Fiber Diameter

Cited by 22 publications

References 23 publications

A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks

A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks

GIFT: An ImageJ macro for automated fiber diameter quantification

Evaluation of Electrospun PCL-PLGA for Sustained Delivery of Kartogenin

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