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In Situ Loading and Time-Resolved Synchrotron-Based Phase Contrast Tomography for the Mechanical Investigation of Connective Knee Tissues : A Proof-of-Concept Study

Dejea, Hector LU ; Pierantoni, Maria LU ; Orozco, Gustavo A. LU ; B. Wrammerfors, E. Tobias LU ; Gstöhl, Stefan J. ; Schlepütz, Christian M. and Isaksson, Hanna LU orcid (2024) In Advanced Science
Abstract

Articular cartilage and meniscus transfer and distribute mechanical loads in the knee joint. Degeneration of these connective tissues occurs during the progression of knee osteoarthritis, which affects their composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A deeper understanding of disease progression can be obtained by studying them simultaneously. Time-resolved synchrotron-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (SR-PhC-µCT) allows to capture the tissue dynamics. This proof-of-concept study presents a rheometer setup for simultaneous in situ unconfined compression and SR-PhC-µCT of connective knee tissues. The microstructural response of bovine cartilage (n = 16) and meniscus (n = 4) samples under axial continuously increased... (More)

Articular cartilage and meniscus transfer and distribute mechanical loads in the knee joint. Degeneration of these connective tissues occurs during the progression of knee osteoarthritis, which affects their composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A deeper understanding of disease progression can be obtained by studying them simultaneously. Time-resolved synchrotron-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (SR-PhC-µCT) allows to capture the tissue dynamics. This proof-of-concept study presents a rheometer setup for simultaneous in situ unconfined compression and SR-PhC-µCT of connective knee tissues. The microstructural response of bovine cartilage (n = 16) and meniscus (n = 4) samples under axial continuously increased strain, or two steps of 15% strain (stress–relaxation) is studied. The chondrocyte distribution in cartilage and the collagen fiber orientation in the meniscus are assessed. Variations in chondrocyte density reveal an increase in the top 40% of the sample during loading, compared to the lower half. Meniscus collagen fibers reorient perpendicular to the loading direction during compression and partially redisperse during relaxation. Radiation damage, image repeatability, and image quality assessments show little to no effects on the results. In conclusion, this approach is highly promising for future studies of human knee tissues to understand their microstructure, mechanical response, and progression in degenerative diseases.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
articular cartilage, biomechanics, image quality, meniscus, phase contrast imaging, radiation damage, rheometer
in
Advanced Science
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • pmid:38520713
  • scopus:85188272801
ISSN
2198-3844
DOI
10.1002/advs.202308811
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
28896a08-5f40-4d73-94f1-0a233da49964
date added to LUP
2024-04-16 14:50:08
date last changed
2024-04-17 03:00:19
@article{28896a08-5f40-4d73-94f1-0a233da49964,
  abstract     = {{<p>Articular cartilage and meniscus transfer and distribute mechanical loads in the knee joint. Degeneration of these connective tissues occurs during the progression of knee osteoarthritis, which affects their composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A deeper understanding of disease progression can be obtained by studying them simultaneously. Time-resolved synchrotron-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (SR-PhC-µCT) allows to capture the tissue dynamics. This proof-of-concept study presents a rheometer setup for simultaneous in situ unconfined compression and SR-PhC-µCT of connective knee tissues. The microstructural response of bovine cartilage (n = 16) and meniscus (n = 4) samples under axial continuously increased strain, or two steps of 15% strain (stress–relaxation) is studied. The chondrocyte distribution in cartilage and the collagen fiber orientation in the meniscus are assessed. Variations in chondrocyte density reveal an increase in the top 40% of the sample during loading, compared to the lower half. Meniscus collagen fibers reorient perpendicular to the loading direction during compression and partially redisperse during relaxation. Radiation damage, image repeatability, and image quality assessments show little to no effects on the results. In conclusion, this approach is highly promising for future studies of human knee tissues to understand their microstructure, mechanical response, and progression in degenerative diseases.</p>}},
  author       = {{Dejea, Hector and Pierantoni, Maria and Orozco, Gustavo A. and B. Wrammerfors, E. Tobias and Gstöhl, Stefan J. and Schlepütz, Christian M. and Isaksson, Hanna}},
  issn         = {{2198-3844}},
  keywords     = {{articular cartilage; biomechanics; image quality; meniscus; phase contrast imaging; radiation damage; rheometer}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Advanced Science}},
  title        = {{In Situ Loading and Time-Resolved Synchrotron-Based Phase Contrast Tomography for the Mechanical Investigation of Connective Knee Tissues : A Proof-of-Concept Study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/advs.202308811}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/advs.202308811}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}