Abstract
An ultra-sensitive, wide-range force loading scheme is proposed for compression optical coherence elastography (OCE) that allows for the quantitative analysis of cervical tissue elasticity ex vivo. We designed a force loading apparatus featuring a water sink for minuscule incremental loading through a volume-controlled water droplet, from which the Young's modulus can be calculated by fitting the stress-strain curve. We validated the performance of the proposed OCE system on homogenous agar phantoms, showing the Young's modulus can be accurately estimated using this scheme. We then measured the Young's modulus of rodent cervical tissues acquired at different gestational ages, showing that the cervical rigidity of rodents was significantly dropped when entering the third trimester of pregnancy.
Highlights
Every year, about one million children die worldwide due to preterm birth complications [1]
We report an ultra-sensitive, wide-range force loading scheme that allows for quantitative analysis of tissue elasticity with a common-path high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system
To assess the accuracy of the proposed sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE), we tested on the agar phantoms and compared the measured Young’s modulus using the methods described earlier with the reported values [33,34]
Summary
About one million children die worldwide due to preterm birth complications [1]. Preterm birth (PTB) is a complex problem for which some but not all causes are known. The cervix, located at the lowermost part of the uterus, is responsible for remaining closed until the fetus reaches full term. At the end of pregnancy, it loses rigidity and dilates to allow delivery. Cervical incompetence or insufficiency is one key risk factor that leads to preterm birth [1,2,3]. Quantitative analysis of cervical rigidity may allow us to identify abnormal or premature changes in cervical mechanical functions, and pave the way for developing biometrics for PTB prediction
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
