Vibration analysis of the spine using A-mode ultrasound

脊柱由三个机械子系统组成：1）由2）由3）神经控制协调的收缩组织驱动的结构元件。鉴于这种组织，背痛被认为是由这些机械子系统功能障碍引起的机械问题。不幸的是，脊柱力学的评估严重依赖于传统的方法设计的手臂和腿。当应用于脊柱时，考虑到脊柱的较小、较多、较少移动的和较深的关节，这些方法可能存在问题。由于这些挑战，我们对机械性背痛的了解仍然有限，而其相关成本飙升。作为回应，Kawchuk博士的研究计划旨在通过开发针对脊柱子系统评估的技术来应对这些挑战。该提案描述了该计划的途径之一：脊柱的振动响应。 当这种技术应用于尸体猪时，拧入椎骨并与振动主轴对齐的单加速度计可以识别机械变化的存在、位置和幅度。不幸的是，当使用基于皮肤的加速度计来评估皮下椎骨振动时，这种用于人类使用的方法是有问题的。因此，Kawchuk博士已经收集了试点数据，这些数据表明，通过直接使用A型超声可视化脊椎振动，可以消除基于皮肤的传感器的问题。在最近的实验台可行性研究中，该技术在高达500 Hz的频率下测量了0.01 mm的循环位移。然后在体内证实了相同的性能水平。这项申请旨在获得资金，以购买进一步开展这项工作所需的A型设备。本研究将确定脊椎振动测量是否具有足够的灵敏度来区分脊柱的不同功能状态。

The spine is made up of three mechanical subsystems: 1) structural elements animated by 2) contractile tissues that are coordinated by 3) neurological control. Given this organization, back pain is considered to be a mechanical problem arising from dysfunction of these mechanical subsystems. Unfortunately, the evaluation of spinal mechanics relies heavily on traditional approaches designed for the arms and legs. When applied to the spine, these approaches can be problematic given the spine's smaller, more numerous, less mobile and deeper articulations. As a result of these challenges, our understanding of mechanical back pain remains limited while its related costs soar. In response, Dr. Kawchuk's research program had been designed to address these challenges by developing technologies specific to spinal subsystem evaluation. This proposal describes one of the program's avenues: the vibration response of the spine. When this technique applied to cadaveric pigs, uni-accelerometers screwed into vertebrae and aligned with the principle axis of vibration, can identify the presence, location and magnitude of mechanical alterations. Unfortunately, this approach for human use is problematic when skin-based accelerometers are used to assess subcutaneous vertebral vibration. As a result, Dr. Kawchuk has collected pilot data that demonstrates problems of skin-based sensors can be elimiated by visualizing vertebral vibration directly with A-mode ultrasound. In a recent bench-top feasibility study, this technique measured cyclic displacements of 0.01mm at frequencies up to 500Hz. This same level of performance was then confirmed in vivo. This application seeks to obtain funds to purchase the A-mode equipment needed to further this work. This research will determine if vertebral vibration measures have sufficient sensitivity to distinguish between different functional states of the spine.