Mechanical Response Of Tissue Research Articles

Nanomechanical Properties of Proteins and Membranes Depend on Loading Rate and Electrostatic Interactions

Knowing the dynamic mechanical response of tissue, cells, membranes, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates to external perturbations is important to understand various biological and biotechnological problems. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approaches are the most frequently used nanotechnologies to determine the mechanical properties of biological samples that range in size from microscopic to (sub)nanoscopic. However, the dynamic nature of biomechanical properties has barely been addressed by AFM imaging. In this work, we characterizethe viscoelastic properties of the native light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin of the purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarum. Using force-distance curve (F-D)-based AFM we imaged purple membranes while force probing their mechanical response over a wide range of loading rates (from ∼0.5 to 100 μN/s). Our results show that the mechanical stiffness of protein and membrane increases with the loading rate up to a factor of 10 (from ∼0.3 to 3.2 N/m). In addition, the electrostatic repulsion between AFM tip and sample can alter the mechanical stiffness measured by AFM up to ∼60% (from ∼0.8 to 1.3 N/m).These findings indicate that the mechanical response of membranes and proteins and probably of other biomolecular systems should be determined at different loading rates to fully understand their properties.

Biaxial Tension of Fibrous Tissue: Using Finite Element Methods to Address Experimental Challenges Arising From Boundary Conditions and Anisotropy

Planar biaxial tension remains a critical loading modality for fibrous soft tissue and is widely used to characterize tissue mechanical response, evaluate treatments, develop constitutive formulas, and obtain material properties for use in finite element studies. Although the application of tension on all edges of the test specimen represents the in situ environment, there remains a need to address the interpretation of experimental results. Unlike uniaxial tension, in biaxial tension the applied forces at the loading clamps do not transmit fully to the region of interest (ROI), which may lead to improper material characterization if not accounted for. In this study, we reviewed the tensile biaxial literature over the last ten years, noting experimental and analysis challenges. In response to these challenges, we used finite element simulations to quantify load transmission from the clamps to the ROI in biaxial tension and to formulate a correction factor that can be used to determine ROI stresses. Additionally, the impact of sample geometry, material anisotropy, and tissue orientation on the correction factor were determined. Large stress concentrations were evident in both square and cruciform geometries and for all levels of anisotropy. In general, stress concentrations were greater for the square geometry than the cruciform geometry. For both square and cruciform geometries, materials with fibers aligned parallel to the loading axes reduced stress concentrations compared to the isotropic tissue, resulting in more of the applied load being transferred to the ROI. In contrast, fiber-reinforced specimens oriented such that the fibers aligned at an angle to the loading axes produced very large stress concentrations across the clamps and shielding in the ROI. A correction factor technique was introduced that can be used to calculate the stresses in the ROI from the measured experimental loads at the clamps. Application of a correction factor to experimental biaxial results may lead to more accurate representation of the mechanical response of fibrous soft tissue.

Analyzing the Early Tissue Mechanical Response to Chemokine Signaling using Microfluidics

Directed cell sheet migration is an important process that sculpts the shape of an organism and its internal tissues during development. The patterning of cell sheets and their morphogenetic movements are regulated by both internal genetic programs and external cues. The fate of tissues and their ultimate physiological function relies on integrating genetic programs and processing external signals to provide positional information to guide migration and induce cell differentiation. Considerable effort has been focused on the induction of gene expression through signaling pathways and how tissue architecture can be remodeled however many pathways also regulate the cytoskeleton. Considering the important role cell mechanics plays in tissue self-assembly little is known about the mechanical response of the tissues to chemical cues. One of the reasons of this knowledge gap is the lack of the technologies to analyze mechanical responses to chemokine signals in vivo. Our group has focused on developing novel microfluidic devices and understanding the dynamic responses of intact epithelial tissues to acute chemical stimulation. We have characterized the dynamic response of a glucocorticoid receptor family biosensor to periodic dexamethasone stimulation (Kim et al, ) and the response of a G-protein coupled receptor family to spatiotemporal patterns of ligand stimulation (Kim et al, in preparation). Here, we demonstrate a rapid mechanical response to tyrosine kinase receptor activation by soluble fibroblast growth factor (FGF). We are able to change FGF at the surface of an early Xenopus leavis embryonic tissue in a spatiotemporally controlled way using a custom designed microfluidic channel with laminar flow interfaces. using this device we can control the FGF gradient while simultaneously modulating FGF activity through receptor inhibitors. Our work will contribute to advancements in areas including growth factor signaling, spatiotemporal biological control and developmental biology.

Comparison and critical analysis of invariant-based models with respect to their ability in fitting human aortic valve data

With the increase of life expectancy and population average age, heart valve diseases have become more frequent, representing an always increasing percentage among cardiovascular diseases, which are the predominant cause of death in the western country. For this reason, research activities within such a context and, in particular, computer-based predictions of valve behavior are strongly motivated. Consequently, the study of the tissue mechanical response and the constitutive relationships for modeling material behavior represent crucial a aspect to be investigated in order to perform realistic simulations. The mechanical response of the aortic valve tissue depends on the contribution, composition, and interaction of different constituents, such as collagen fibers and elastin network. Accordingly, constitutive laws including non-linearity and anisotropy are necessary. Clearly, the complexity of a constitutive model increases more as it takes into account the histological structure of the tissue. Numerous constitutive models have been developed to describe arterial tissue, but relatively few models have been calibrated specifically for the aortic valve. This study focuses on the investigation of constitutive models so far proposed in the literature which could be suitable to capture the mechanical behavior of the aortic valvular tissue. To make the right choice, the comparison between these constitutive models is done in terms of the fitting quality achieved with respect to human aortic valve data proposed in the literature. For this purpose, an optimization technique based on the nonlinear least square method is used. The obtained material parameters could be later used in finite element analysis adopted, in this last decade, as an innovative approach to support the operation planning procedure and the design of artificial grafts.

Biphasic Investigation of Tissue Mechanical Response During Freezing Front Propagation

Cryopreservation of engineered tissue (ET) has achieved limited success due to limited understanding of freezing-induced biophysical phenomena in ETs, especially fluid-matrix interaction within ETs. To further our understanding of the freezing-induced fluid-matrix interaction, we have developed a biphasic model formulation that simulates the transient heat transfer and volumetric expansion during freezing, its resulting fluid movement in the ET, elastic deformation of the solid matrix, and the corresponding pressure redistribution within. Treated as a biphasic material, the ET consists of a porous solid matrix fully saturated with interstitial fluid. Temperature-dependent material properties were employed, and phase change was included by incorporating the latent heat of phase change into an effective specific heat term. Model-predicted temperature distribution, the location of the moving freezing front, and the ET deformation rates through the time course compare reasonably well with experiments reported previously. Results from our theoretical model show that behind the marching freezing front, the ET undergoes expansion due to phase change of its fluid contents. It compresses the region preceding the freezing front leading to its fluid expulsion and reduced regional fluid volume fractions. The expelled fluid is forced forward and upward into the region further ahead of the compression zone causing a secondary expansion zone, which then compresses the region further downstream with much reduced intensity. Overall, it forms an alternating expansion-compression pattern, which moves with the marching freezing front. The present biphasic model helps us to gain insights into some facets of the freezing process and cryopreservation treatment that could not be gleaned experimentally. Its resulting understanding will ultimately be useful to design and improve cryopreservation protocols for ETs.

Experimental and computational analysis of soft tissue mechanical response under negative pressure in forearm

Instrumentation, relying on the use of negative pressure (suction), has been introduced to reduce pathological tissue swelling. Then, relative contribution of skin, adipose tissue and muscle, to the overall mechanical response is not known. Under suction, stretch of soft tissues in the forearm of human subjects (N = 11) was experimentally measured at rest and under venous occlusion. Three dimensional, fibril-reinforced hyperelastic finite element (FE) model was constructed, the model response was matched with the experimental measurement and the mechanical characteristics of each tissue were derived. Parametric analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of different tissues on the total stretch. The model suggested that, at large strains, the stretch response was more sensitive to changes in the elastic modulus of skin than those in adipose tissue. During venous occlusion, reduction of the stretch of forearm tissues was related to stiffening of the skin and adipose tissue, as evidenced by increased modulus of 27 ± 21% and 35 ± 26%, respectively. The method based on suction may be used to diagnose and monitor changes in properties of soft tissues, especially those of skin, as well as tissue swelling typical to pathological conditions such as oedema.

Performance Assessment of HIFU Lesion Detection by Harmonic Motion Imaging for Focused Ultrasound (HMIFU): A 3-D Finite-Element-Based Framework with Experimental Validation

Harmonic motion imaging for focused ultrasound (HMIFU) is a novel high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy monitoring method with feasibilities demonstrated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Its principle is based on amplitude-modulated (AM) - harmonic motion imaging (HMI), an oscillatory radiation force used for imaging the tissue mechanical response during thermal ablation. In this study, a theoretical framework of HMIFU is presented, comprising a customized nonlinear wave propagation model, a finite-element (FE) analysis module and an image-formation model. The objective of this study is to develop such a framework to (1) assess the fundamental performance of HMIFU in detecting HIFU lesions based on the change in tissue apparent elasticity, i.e., the increasing Young’s modulus, and the HIFU lesion size with respect to the HIFU exposure time and (2) validate the simulation findings ex vivo. The same HMI and HMIFU parameters as in the experimental studies were used, i.e., 4.5-MHz HIFU frequency and 25 Hz AM frequency. For a lesion-to-background Young’s modulus ratio of 3, 6 and 9, the FE and estimated HMI displacement ratios were equal to 1.83, 3.69 and 5.39 and 1.65, 3.19 and 4.59, respectively. In experiments, the HMI displacement followed a similar increasing trend of 1.19, 1.28 and 1.78 at 10-s, 20-s and 30-s HIFU exposure, respectively. In addition, moderate agreement in lesion size growth was found in both simulations (16.2, 73.1 and 334.7 mm 2) and experiments (26.2, 94.2 and 206.2 mm 2). Therefore, the feasibility of HMIFU for HIFU lesion detection based on the underlying tissue elasticity changes was verified through the developed theoretical framework, i.e., validation of the fundamental performance of the HMIFU system for lesion detection, localization and quantification, was demonstrated both theoretically and ex vivo.

Assessment of acetylcholine release from myenteric plexus of guinea-pig colon.

Due to a complex mechanical tissue response to electrical stimulation, a colonic smooth muscle-myenteric plexus (SMMP) preparation, combined with radiolabelling techniques for assessing the acetylcholine release, has been developed to investigate intrinsic cholinergic nerve activity in the guinea-pig colon. Electrical field stimulation of the preparation gave reproducible release of label which was inhibited by tetrodotoxin. Release increased proportionally with the strength of stimulus (130, 150, 195 and 250 mA), but was inversely proportional to frequency of stimulation for a fixed number of pulses, 1 Hz releasing more than 10 Hz. Electrical stimulation of the tissue during incubation with [3H]choline enhanced the release by subsequent field stimulation. Release of label increased progressively towards the distal end of the colon.

Constitutive formulation and analysis of heel pad tissues mechanics

This paper presents a visco-hyperelastic constitutive model developed to describe the biomechanical response of heel pad tissues. The model takes into account the typical features of the mechanical response such as large displacement, strain phenomena, and non-linear elasticity together with time-dependent effects. The constitutive model was formulated, starting from the analysis of the complex structural and micro-structural configuration of the tissues, to evaluate the relationship between tissue histology and mechanical properties. To define the constitutive model, experimental data from mechanical tests were analyzed. To obtain information about the mechanical response of the tissue so that the constitutive parameters could be established, data from both in vitro and in vivo tests were investigated. Specifically, the first evaluation of the constitutive parameters was performed by a coupled deterministic and stochastic optimization method, accounting for data from in vitro tests. The comparison of constitutive model results and experimental data confirmed the model's capability to describe the compression behaviour of the heel pad tissues, regarding both constant strain rate and stress relaxation tests. Based on the data from additional experimental tests, some of the constitutive parameters were modified in order to interpret the in vivo mechanical response of the heel pad tissues. This approach made it possible to interpret the actual mechanical function of the tissues.

Poroviscoelastic Modeling of Liver Biomechanical Response in Unconfined Compression

Mechanistic modeling approaches are important for understanding how fluid and solid components of the liver interact during impact trauma. This study uses poroviscoelasticity (PVE) theory to simulate liver biomechanical response in unconfined compression stress relaxation experiments, for variable ramp strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 s(-1). Specimens included 17 ex vivo porcine liver samples tested in a humidified temperature-controlled chamber. Liver response was modeled using ABAQUS, and best-fit parameters were determined using non-linear least-squares algorithms. The PVE model was able to capture the behavior of porcine liver in unconfined compression, with regression analyses for the ramp phase demonstrating high correlation between model and experiment (R(2) > 0.993, slope > 0.833, p < 0.05). The advantage of PVE modeling over traditional viscoelastic modeling is the ability to examine interstitial fluid pressure as a contributor to tissue mechanical response. This strategy creates new opportunities for quantifying an injury mechanism (burst injury) that is common in blunt abdominal trauma, and will lead to advancement of high-fidelity virtual crash test dummies, and improved vehicle safety.

An In Vitro Intact Globe Expansion Method for Evaluation of Cross-linking Treatments

To measure the tissue mechanical response to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) using intact globe expansion of rabbit eyes. This method examined rabbit kit (2-3 weeks old) eyes as a model for weakened tissue and evaluated riboflavin/UVA and glyceraldehyde cross-linking treatments. The ocular shape of enucleated eyes was photographed during a 24-hour period while a controlled IOP was imposed (either low IOP = 22 mm Hg or high IOP = 85 mm Hg). Untreated controls consisted of kit eyes tested at both low- and high IOP and adult eyes tested at high IOP. Treated kit eyes (dextran controls, riboflavin/UVA treatment of the cornea, and glyceraldehyde treatment of the entire globe) were tested at high IOP. Low IOP elicited negligible creep of the sclera and very gradual creep of the cornea. In contrast, high IOP induced up to an 8% strain in the sclera and a 15% strain in the cornea of rabbit kit eyes. The expansion of adult eyes was less than one third that of kit eyes at the same, high IOP. Riboflavin/UVA treatment of corneas reduced expansion compared with that in both dextran-treated and untreated control corneas. Glyceraldehyde treatment prevented expansion of the cornea and sclera. The intact globe expansion method (GEM) imposes a loading geometry comparable to in vivo conditions and can quantify changes in mechanical stability as a function of testing conditions (e.g., IOP, tissue maturation, and therapeutic cross-linking) with small sample sizes and small variability. Rabbit kit eyes provide a model of weak tissue suitable for screening treatments that strengthen the cornea and sclera.

A Study of the Anisotropy and Tension/Compression Behavior of Human Cervical Tissue

The cervix plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, acting as a mechanical barrier to hold the fetus in utero during gestation. Altered mechanical properties of the cervical tissue are suspected to play a critical role in spontaneous preterm birth. Both MRI and X-ray data in the literature indicate that cervical stroma contains regions of preferentially aligned collagen fibers along anatomical directions (circumferential/longitudinal/radial). In this study, a mechanical testing protocol is developed to investigate the large-strain response of cervical tissue in uniaxial tension and compression along its three orthogonal anatomical directions. The stress response of the tissue along the different orthogonal directions is captured using a minimal set of model parameters generated by fitting a one-dimensional time-dependent rheological model to the experimental data. Using model parameters, mechanical responses can be compared between samples from patients with different obstetric backgrounds, between samples from different anatomical sites, and between the different loading directions for a single specimen. The results presented in this study suggest that cervical tissue is mechanically anisotropic with a uniaxial response dependent on the direction of loading, the anatomical site of the specimen, and the obstetric history of the patient. We hypothesize that the directionality of the tissue mechanical response is primarily due to collagen orientation in the cervical stroma, and provides an interpretation of our mechanical findings consistent with the literature data on preferential collagen alignment.

On modelling of anisotropic viscoelasticity for soft tissue simulation: Numerical solution and GPU execution

Efficient and accurate techniques for simulation of soft tissue deformation are an increasingly valuable tool in many areas of medical image computing, such as biomechanically-driven image registration and interactive surgical simulation. For reasons of efficiency most analyses are based on simplified linear formulations, and previously almost all have ignored well established features of tissue mechanical response such as anisotropy and time-dependence. We address these latter issues by firstly presenting a generalised anisotropic viscoelastic constitutive framework for soft tissues, particular cases of which have previously been used to model a wide range of tissues. We then develop an efficient solution procedure for the accompanying viscoelastic hereditary integrals which allows use of such models in explicit dynamic finite element algorithms. We show that the procedure allows incorporation of both anisotropy and viscoelasticity for as little as 5.1% additional cost compared with the usual isotropic elastic models. Finally we describe the implementation of a new GPU-based finite element scheme for soft tissue simulation using the CUDA API. Even with the inclusion of more elaborate constitutive models as described the new implementation affords speed improvements compared with our recent graphics API-based implementation, and compared with CPU execution a speed up of 56.3 x is achieved. The validity of the viscoelastic solution procedure and performance of the GPU implementation are demonstrated with a series of numerical examples.

Bone Bending Stiffness And Mineral Density In Endurance Cyclists, Runners And Untrained Men

Mechanical Tissue Response Analysis (MRTA) is a novel technique that may be used to non-invasively measure bone bending stiffness or EI (E is the modulus of elasticity and I, the bending moment of inertia), a measure of bone strength. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of running and cycling exercise in athletes on measurements of bone bending stiffness and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Volunteers were 22 athletes (11 NCAA division II runners and 12 road race cyclists) for comparison with 12 untrained men (CON) of similar age (24.3±5.4 vs. 22.4±2.1 yrs). Left Ulnar and tibial bone bending stiffness (EI) were measured with the MRTA. A Peripheral Instantaneous X-ray Imager (PIXI, GE Lunar) was used to determine BMD of the left heel and wrist. All measured EI and BMD variables between the two athletic groups (ATH) were similar, except the heel BMD. The runners have higher heel BMD than the cyclists (0.6329±0.088 vs. 0.6651±0.078 g/cm2, p < .05). Thus, descriptive, MRTA and PIXI data were combined for the ATH compared to the CON. The means were subjected to a 2-tailed t-test for all measured variables with equal variances. RESULTS: The ATH were lighter in weight and in BMI than the CON (70.1±9.1 kg and 22.6±2.0 kg/m2 vs. 78.5±11.6 kg and 25.4±3.6 kg/m2, respectively, both p<0.05). The ATH have higher ulna EI (60.8±19.6 vs. 44.1±9.7 Nm2, p<0.01) and heel BMD than CON (.647±0.08 vs. 0.578±0.06 g/cm2, p<0.01). The ATH have almost similar tibial EI (322±101 vs. 274±74 Nm2) and wrist BMD values relative to the CON (0.553±0.065 vs. 0.526±0.062 g/cm2). The small sample size precluded detecting differences in the tibial EI and the wrist BMD measurements between the two athletic groups. CONCLUSION: The results show similar values for ulnar and tibial EI as well as wrist BMD in athletes engaged in different types of sports. Their ulna strength and heel BMD values were greater than values in the untrained controls. (Partially supported by -NASA grant No. SAA2-401535).

Multifrequency ultrasound radiation force excitation and motion detection of harmonically vibrating scatterers

Elasticity imaging is a medical imaging modality that creates images based on the mechanical response of tissue. In some techniques, ultrasound radiation force has been used to deform tissue and ultrasonic or other techniques detect the tissue displacement. The focus of this dissertation was development of methods utilizing multiple ultrasound frequencies simultaneously to produce multifrequency harmonic radiation force and development of harmonic motion detection techniques adapted for vibrometry with simultaneous radiation force excitation. Beamforming for multifrequency radiation force was developed analytically, numerically, and experimentally. Sample applications in the fields of vibrometry and vibro-acoustic breast imaging are shown. Numerical models for harmonic motion detection of a vibrating reflective target and a vibrating scattering medium were developed. Parametric analyses were performed to extensively analyze the error in the vibration amplitude and phase measurements. An experimental method using multifrequency radiation force and harmonic motion detection with a single transducer is described and experimental results for a reflective target and scattering medium are shown. This work produced techniques for excitation and measurement of small amplitude harmonic motion for performing vibro-acoustography and vibrometry in a multiplexed manner. Models of vibration responses were developed to further understanding of current and future applications in vibro-acoustography and vibrometry.

Predictions of Fundamental Frequency Changes During Phonation Based on a Biomechanical Model of the Vocal Fold Lamina Propria

This study examines the local and global changes of fundamental frequency (F(0)) during phonation and proposes a biomechanical model of predictions of F(0) contours based on the mechanics of vibration of vocal fold lamina propria. The biomechanical model integrates the constitutive description of the tissue mechanical response with a structural model of beam vibration. The constitutive model accounts for the nonlinear and time-dependent response of the vocal fold cover and the vocal ligament. The structural model of the vocal fold lamina propria is based on a composite beam model with axial stress. Results show that local fluctuations such as F(0) overshoots and undershoots can be characterized by the biomechanical model and might be related to the processes of stress relaxation of vocal fold tissues during length changes. The global changes of F(0) declination in declarative sentence production can also be characterized by the model. Such F(0) declination is partially attributed to the peak stress decay associated with stress relaxation of the vocal fold lamina propria and partially to neuromuscular control of the vocal fold length.

Harmonic pulsed excitation and motion detection of a vibrating reflective target

Elasticity imaging is an emerging medical imaging modality. Methods involving acoustic radiation force excitation and pulse-echo ultrasound motion detection have been investigated to assess the mechanical response of tissue. In this work new methods for dynamic radiation force excitation and motion detection are presented. The theory and model for harmonic motion detection of a vibrating reflective target are presented. The model incorporates processing of radio frequency data acquired using pulse-echo ultrasound to measure harmonic motion with amplitudes ranging from 100 to 10,000 nm. A numerical study was performed to assess the effects of different parameters on the accuracy and precision of displacement amplitude and phase estimation and showed how estimation errors could be minimized. Harmonic pulsed excitation is introduced as a multifrequency radiation force excitation method that utilizes ultrasound tonebursts repeated at a rate f(r). The radiation force, consisting of frequency components at multiples of f(r), is generated using 3.0 MHz ultrasound, and motion detection is performed simultaneously with 9.0 MHz pulse-echo ultrasound. A parameterized experimental analysis showed that displacement can be measured with small errors for motion with amplitudes as low as 100 nm. The parameterized numerical and experimental analyses provide insight into how to optimize acquisition parameters to minimize measurement errors.

Investigation of Soft-Tissue Stiffness Alteration in Denervated Human Tissue Using an Ultrasound Indentation System

Background/Objective: Differences in soft-tissue stiffness may provide for a quantitative assessment and detection technique for pressure ulcers or deep-tissue injury. An ultrasound indentation system may provide a relatively convenient, simple, and noninvasive method for quantitative measurement of changes in soft- tissue stiffness in vivo.Methods: The Tissue Ultrasound Palpation System (TUPS) was used to quantitatively measure changes in soft-tissue stiffness at different anatomical locations within and between able-bodied persons and individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The stiffness of soft tissue was measured at the ischial tuberosity, greater trochanter, posterior midthigh, and biceps brachii. Additionally, soft-tissue thickness and soft-tissue deformation were also measured.Results: Significant differences in soft-tissue stiffness were observed within the various anatomical locations tested, in both the able-bodied and SCI groups. Differences in soft-tissue stiffness were also observed between the 2 groups. Participants with SCI had significantly softer tissue in their buttock-thigh area.Conclusions: TUPS is a clinically feasible technology that can reliably and effectively detect changes in soft-tissue stiffness. The study has provided a better understanding of the tissue mechanical response to external loading, specifically in the SCI population, suggesting the use of tissue stiffness as a parameter to detect and assess pressure-related soft-tissue injury.

Estimation of tissue stiffness with the surface wave generated by ultrasound

The mechanical response of tissues to external forces has gained considerable interest in medical diagnosis. Typically, a force is needed to produce displacement in the tissue for estimation of the tissue’s elasticity. One approach is to apply an external force on the body’s surface. Another emerging technique is to generate a localized force inside the tissue with ultrasound. Shear waves can be used in bulky tissues for estimating the tissue’s elasticity. The bending wave can be generated and measured in vessels for noninvasive estimation of a vessel’s elasticity. We have found that the Rayleigh surface wave can be generated on the tissue’s surface, [X. Zhang et al., Proc. International Congress on Ultrasonics, Vienna, April 9–13, 2007], [X. Zhang et al., IEEE Trans. Medical Imaging, 26, 843–852 (2007)]. In our method, a localized radiation force of ultrasound is remotely and noninvasively applied inside the tissue. This force can generate the shear wave as well as compression wave inside the tissue. However, only the surface wave can exist on the body’ surface. The surface wave can be used to estimate and image the stiffness of tissue. Some results of using the surface wave are presented.

Estimation of tissue’s elasticity with surface wave speed

The mechanical response of tissues to external forces has gained considerable interest in medical diagnosis. One approach to imaging tissue elastic properties is to apply an external force on the surface of the body. Another approach is to generate a localized force inside the tissue with the radiation force of ultrasound. In this paper, a new method is developed to estimate tissue's elasticity based on surface wave speed measurement. The theory of surface wave speed is developed for estimating tissue's elasticity. Experiments are carried out on a tissue-mimicking ultrasound phantom. An amplitude modulated ultrasound signal of a few hundred hertz is used to generate a localized force in the phantom. The surface wave fields are measured with a laser vibrometer. It shows that the surface wave speed can be used for inversely estimating tissue's elastic properties based on tissue's surface measurement.