Ultrasonic assessment of articular cartilage using contrast medium

研制了关节软骨超声评价系统。然而，该系统可以检测软骨表面的退变，但不能检测关节软骨的所有层的生物力学特性。我们研究了超声造影剂对关节软骨评价系统的有效性。关节软骨反射回声图呈A型。以峰峰值作为关节软骨的定量指标。将颈动脉样品浸入造影剂中10 min，然后将样品浸入生理盐水中，用超声评价系统进行分析，有造影剂的样品的最大峰峰值比无造影剂的样品高5.3 ~ 9.8倍。含造影剂的标本在2 min内峰峰值最大，随盐水浸泡时间的延长而降低。我们的研究结果表明，超声分析使用造影剂可以预测关节软骨的生物力学行为。

We have developed the ultrasonic evaluation system for articular cartilage. However this system could detect degeneration of cartilage surface, but could not detect biomechanical properties of all layers of articular cartilage. We investigated the effectiveness of ultrasonic contrast medium for the evaluation system of articular cartilage. The reflex echogram form articular cartilage was shown as A-mode echogram. The peak-peak value was used as a quantitative index of articualr cartilage. Cartialge sample was immersed into contrast mediul for 10 minutes and after that, the sample was immersed in saline and analyzed by the ultrasonic evaluation system.The maximum peak-peak value of samples with contrast medium was 5.3 to 9.8 times higher than the sample without contrast medium. The peak -peak value of sample with contrast medium show the maximum within 2 minutes and decreased as the duration of saline immersion increased. Our finding indicated that ultrasound analysis using contrast medium can predict the biomechanical behavior of articular cartilage.