Imaging the Vocal Folds: A Feasibility Study on Strain Imaging and Elastography of Porcine Vocal Folds
Imaging the Vocal Folds: A Feasibility Study on Strain Imaging and Elastography of Porcine Vocal Folds
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DOI：
10.3390/app9132729
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发表时间：
2019-07-01
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Sutor, Alexander
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Lamprecht, Raphael;Maghzinajafabadi, Mohammadali;Sutor, Alexander
声带是人类发声的重要组成部分。生物力学性能是一个很好的指标的病理变化。特别地，作为振荡系统，生物力学性质的变化对振动行为具有影响。随后，这些变化可能导致与语音相关的干扰。然而，没有现有的检查结合生物力学特性和空间成像。因此，我们提出了一种基于图像配准的方法，使用超声波，以便同步获得这些信息。我们使用准静态载荷来压缩组织，并通过图像配准来测量位移。应变分布直接从位移场计算，而弹性性能估计的有限元模型。为了验证算法的可行性和可靠性，我们在明胶模型上进行了实验。此外，通过检查离体猪声带，我们能够显示该方法的实用性。我们显示了声带组织的应变分布和弹性特性。将结果叠加在相应的超声图像上。研究结果是有希望的，并显示所建议的方法的可行性。可能的应用是通过用超声测量声带的生物力学特性来改善嗓音障碍的诊断。将换能器放置在麻醉患者的声带上，并测量弹性特性。进一步了解声带的生物力学和声音形成过程也将从中受益。
Vocal folds are an essential part of human voice production. The biomechanical properties are a good indicator for pathological changes. In particular, as an oscillation system, changes in the biomechanical properties have an impact on the vibration behavior. Subsequently, those changes could lead to voice-related disturbances. However, no existing examination combines biomechanical properties and spatial imaging. Therefore, we propose an image registration-based approach, using ultrasound in order to gain this information synchronously. We used a quasi-static load to compress the tissue and measured the displacement by image registration. The strain distribution was directly calculated from the displacement field, whereas the elastic properties were estimated by a finite element model. In order to show the feasibility and reliability of the algorithm, we tested it on gelatin phantoms. Further, by examining ex vivo porcine vocal folds, we were able to show the practicability of the approach. We displayed the strain distribution in the tissue and the elastic properties of the vocal folds. The results were superimposed on the corresponding ultrasound images. The findings are promising and show the feasibility of the suggested approach. Possible applications are in improved diagnosis of voice disorders, by measuring the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds with ultrasound. The transducer will be placed on the vocal folds of the anesthetized patient, and the elastic properties will be measured. Further, the understanding of the vocal folds' biomechanics and the voice forming process could benefit from it.