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Novel Method to Track Soft Tissue Deformation by Micro-Computed Tomography: Application to the Mitral Valve

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Abstract

Increasing availability of micro-computed tomography (µCT) as a structural imaging gold-standard is bringing unprecedented geometric detail to soft tissue modeling. However, the utility of these advances is severely hindered without analogous enhancement to the associated kinematic detail. To this end, labeling and following discrete points on a tissue across various deformation states is a well-established approach. Still, existing techniques suffer limitations when applied to complex geometries and large deformations and strains. Therefore, we herein developed a non-destructive system for applying fiducial markers (minimum diameter: 500 µm) to soft tissue and tracking them through multiple loading conditions by µCT. Using a novel applicator to minimize adhesive usage, four distinct marker materials were resolvable from both tissue and one another, without image artifacts. No impact on tissue stiffness was observed. µCT addressed accuracy limitations of stereophotogrammetry (inter-method positional error 1.2 ± 0.3 mm, given marker diameter 1.9 ± 0.1 mm). Marker application to ovine mitral valves revealed leaflet Almansi areal strains (45 ± 4%) closely matching literature values, and provided radiographic access to previously inaccessible regions, such as the leaflet coaptation zone. This system may meaningfully support mechanical characterization of numerous tissues or biomaterials, as well as tissue-device interaction studies for regulatory standards purposes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (ELP) under grant DGE-1148903, as well as by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under Grant R01HL119297. The authors would also like to thank Andrew Siefert for his contributions to the experimental design and Kathleen McNeeley for her technical assistance with μCT imaging.

Conflict of interest

No benefits in any form have been received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript. The authors (ELP, CHB, AN, MOJ, APY) have a patent pending (Provisional Application Number 62/173,610).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 387 Technology Circle NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA, 30313, USA

    Eric L. Pierce, Charles H. Bloodworth IV, Ajay Naran, Thomas F. Easley, Morten O. Jensen & Ajit P. Yoganathan

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  1. Eric L. Pierce
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  2. Charles H. Bloodworth IV
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  3. Ajay Naran
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  4. Thomas F. Easley
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  6. Ajit P. Yoganathan
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Correspondence to Ajit P. Yoganathan.

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Associate Editor Joel Stitzel oversaw the review of this article.

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Pierce, E.L., Bloodworth, C.H., Naran, A. et al. Novel Method to Track Soft Tissue Deformation by Micro-Computed Tomography: Application to the Mitral Valve. Ann Biomed Eng 44, 2273–2281 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-015-1499-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-015-1499-9

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