Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fiberoptic microindentation technique for early osteoarthritis diagnosis: an in vitro study on human cartilage

  • Published:
Biomedical Microdevices Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the capability of a fiber optic microindenter sensor to discriminate between healthy and slightly degenerated human articular cartilage samples is demonstrated. The purely optical indenter sensor is characterized by extremely reduced dimensions (0.125 mm in diameter and 27 mm in length) in comparison to existing indenter probes offering advantages for endoscopic deployment. The indenter sensor is intended to assist the surgeon in the identification of damaged articular cartilage. From each of seven specimens of human tibia plateau three samples showing different Outerbridge grading were extracted. On each sample stress-relaxation measurements were performed with eight indentation steps, each step being 40 μm and the relaxation of the material was observed for 240 s after each step. A viscoelastic model was used to fit the relaxation and to extract the characteristic parameters according to the model. A highly significant difference in stiffness (p value <0.01) was observed between the native (grade 0) and early diseased (grade 1) human cartilage samples demonstrating the potential of the fiber optic indenter for the diagnosis of cartilage breakdown.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • R.C. Appleyard, M.V. Swain, et al., The accuracy and reliability of a novel handheld dynamic indentation probe for analysing articular cartilage. Phys. Med. Biol. 46(2), 541 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • W.C. Bae, M.M. Temple, et al., Indentation testing of human cartilage: Sensitivity to articular surface degeneration. Arthritis & Rheumatism 48(12), 3382–3394 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. Beekmans, D. Iannuzzi, Characterizing tissue stiffness at the tip of a rigid needle using an opto-mechanical force sensor. Biomed. Microdevices 18(1), 15 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. Chae, S.-W. Jung, et al., In vivo biomechanical measurement and haptic simulation of portal placement procedure in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. PLoS One 13(3), e0193736 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Charlebois, M.D. McKee, et al., Nonlinear tensile properties of bovine articular cartilage and their variation with age and depth. J. Biomech. Eng. 126(2), 129–137 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • N.P. Cohen, R.J. Foster, et al., Composition and dynamics of articular cartilage: Structure, function, and maintaining healthy state. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 28(4), 203–215 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.C. Cychosz, J.N. Tofte, et al., Fundamentals of arthroscopic surgery training program improves knee arthroscopy simulator performance in arthroscopic trainees. Arthroscopy 34(5), 1543–1549 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. Franz, E. Hasler, et al., In situ compressive stiffness, biochemical composition, and structural integrity of articular cartilage of the human knee joint. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 9(6), 582–592 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Guilak, D.L. Butler, et al., Functional tissue engineering: The role of biomechanics in articular cartilage repair. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 391, S295–S305 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Hansma, H. Yu, et al., The tissue diagnostic instrument. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 80(5), 054303 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jülich, F. (2009). Charakterisierung von Faser-Bragg-Gitter Sensorelementen. Master, University of Applied Sciences

  • F. Jülich, L. Aulbach, et al., Gauge factors of fibre Bragg grating strain sensors in different types of optical fibres. Meas. Sci. Technol. 24(9), 094007 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Kiviranta, E. Lammentausta, et al., Indentation diagnostics of cartilage degeneration. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 16(7), 796–804 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Kleemann, D. Krocker, et al., Altered cartilage mechanics and histology in knee osteoarthritis: Relation to clinical assessment (ICRS grade). Osteoarthr. Cartil. 13(11), 958–963 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litwic, A., M. H. Edwards, et al. (2013). Epidemiology and burden of osteoarthritis. British Medical Bulletin: lds038, 105, 185

  • T. Lyyra, J. Jurvelin, et al., Indentation instrument for the measurement of cartilage stiffness under arthroscopic control. Med. Eng. Phys. 17(5), 395–399 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Machado, N. Viriato, et al., Experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of knee articular cartilages in compression: First approach with swine tissues. Rheumatology and Orthopedic Medicine 2(4), 1–4 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • J.T. Mäkelä, M.R. Huttu, et al., Structure–function relationships in osteoarthritic human hip joint articular cartilage. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 20(11), 1268–1277 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.J. Mankin, D. H, L. Lippiello, A. Zarins, Biochemical and metabolic abnormalities in articular cartilagefrom osteoarthritic human hips. II. Correlation of morphology with biochemical and metabolic data. J. Bone Joint Surg 53, 523–537 (1971)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Marchi, V. Baier, et al., Microindentation sensor system based on an optical Fiber Bragg grating for the mechanical characterization of articular cartilage by stress-relaxation. Sensors Actuators B Chem. 252, 440–449 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Marchi, O. Canti, et al., Cartilage microindentation using cylindrical and spherical optical fiber indenters with integrated Bragg gratings as force sensors. SPIE photonics west. Optical Elastography and Tissue Biomechanics V 104960Z, 10496 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Niederauer, A novel instrument for quantitatively measuring the stiffness of articular cartilage. Trans. Orthop. Res. Soc. 23, 905 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • Othonos, A. and K. Kalli (1999). Fiber Bragg Gratings: Fundamentals and Applications in Telecommunications and Sensing. Artech House

  • R. Outerbridge, The etiology of chondromalacia patellae. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume 43(4), 752–757 (1961)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. Pritzker, S. Gay, et al., Osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology: Grading and staging. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 14(1), 13–29 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Smith, G. Knutsen, et al., A clinical review of cartilage repair techniques. Bone & Joint Journal 87(4), 445–449 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Spahn, H.M. Klinger, et al., How valid is the arthroscopic diagnosis of cartilage lesions? Results of an opinion survey among highly experienced arthroscopic surgeons. Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg. 129(8), 1117–1121 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Stolz, R. Gottardi, et al., Early detection of aging cartilage and osteoarthritis in mice and patient samples using atomic force microscopy. Nat. Nanotechnol. 4(3), 186 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. Turkiewicz, I.F. Petersson, et al., Current and future impact of osteoarthritis on health care: A population-based study with projections to year 2032. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 22(11), 1826–1832 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. J. Williams, L. Peterson, et al. (2007). Cartilage Repair Strategies. Springer

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (grants RO 4145/4-1, CS 409/2-1 and AS 150/10.1). The authors thanks Rolf Kuttler for technical support, as well as Sabrina Wagner, Carmen Marthen and Jutta Tübel of the University Hospital Klinikum rechts der Isar for the Outerbridge grading of the human samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photonics Laboratory, Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstr. 34, 80335, Munich, Germany

    G. Marchi, A. Javadzadeh-Kalarhodi & J. Roths

  2. Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    P. Foehr, J. Lang & R. Burgkart

  3. Clinic and Policlinic for Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    S. Consalvo

  4. Nanoanalitics and Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstr. 34, 80335, Munich, Germany

    B. Hartmann

  5. Center for Applied Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine-CANTER, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstr. 34, 80335, Munich, Germany

    B. Hartmann, P. Alberton & A. Aszodi

  6. Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for General, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Nussbaumstr. 20, 80336, Munich, Germany

    P. Alberton & A. Aszodi

Authors
  1. G. Marchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Foehr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Consalvo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Javadzadeh-Kalarhodi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Lang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. B. Hartmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Alberton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A. Aszodi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. R. Burgkart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. J. Roths
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Marchi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that no conflict of interest exists.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Marchi, G., Foehr, P., Consalvo, S. et al. Fiberoptic microindentation technique for early osteoarthritis diagnosis: an in vitro study on human cartilage. Biomed Microdevices 21, 11 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-019-0359-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-019-0359-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation