Non-invasive Measurement of Soft Tissue Motion and Anisotropic Mechanical Properties by MRE
Abstract
The duties of Navy warfighters put them at risk of traumatic injury. Computational models have great potential for use in development of technology to protect against impact and blast, but experimental data are needed to build and assess these models. In particular, computational models rely on accurate measurements of the mechanical properties of soft tissue. Many soft tissues have a fibrousstructure, which leads to direction-dependent (anisotropic) mechanical properties. In addition, tissue properties change after death and/or removal from the body. We propose to develop and apply novel measurement and analysis techniques to experimentally quantifyanisotropic mechanical properties of human muscle, kidney, and brain tissue in vivo. The measurement methods include magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), high resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high-resolution anatomical imaging. Analysis methods include anisotropic nonlinear inversion (aNLI) of MRE data for estimating material properties. In the kidney and brain, MRE data will be analyzed to estimate the strains and stresses in the organ and quantify transmission of body motion into the organ. The team will use newly developed techniques to provide quantitative measurements of anisotropic mechanical properties in soft tissue. We will (Task 1) calibrate anisotropic MRE by studies in anisotropic, 3D-printed, tissue-mimicking surrogate materials (#phantoms#); (Task 2) perform anisotropic MRE of muscle, kidney, and brain in the minipig, and (Task 3) perform anisotropic MRE of muscle, kidney, and brain in human volunteers, obtaining measurements of shear stiffness, damping, shear anisotropy, tensile anisotropy, and motion transmission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 09, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412599
Entities
People
- Philip V. Bayly
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Washington University in St. Louis