Accurate 3D digitizer for linking tissue mechanics with imaging

本申请中要求的Microcribe MX 3D数字化仪将扩展萨斯喀彻温大学工程学院、医学院和运动学学院在成像、生物力学、组织力学和组织工程领域的研究能力。在萨斯喀彻温大学进行的多学科肌肉骨骼研究的一个中心目标是用非侵入性成像工具评估骨骼和软骨的强度。这些成像工具包括加拿大光源同步加速器、微型计算机断层扫描(MicroCT)、外周定量CT(PQCT)、高分辨率pQCT、临床CT和临床磁共振成像(MRI)。近年来，成像技术已被用来评估骨和软骨的力学性能。然而，目前尚不清楚这些成像技术对机械性能的估计有多好。此外，如果没有准确的强度估计，我们就不能可靠地信任骨和软骨的计算机模型--特别是有限元(FE)模型--的结果。应用的MicroScribe MX数字化仪将使我们能够准确地比较成像得出的机械性能和实验得出的机械性能，从而使用萨斯喀彻温省大学现有的成像工具确认成像强度估计。利用逆向工程技术，Microcribe MX还将使我们能够将骨和脊髓组织重新创建为计算机模型，以帮助设计和制造组织修复结构，如支架。该设备的主要特点包括：高精度、低成本和便携性，可与萨斯喀彻温省大学内的各种成像工具和永久性仪器一起使用。该设备将支持学生在涉及机械和生物医学工程、人体运动学和医学的多学科领域进行培训。MicroScribe MX将帮助我们：(1)可靠地估计骨骼和软骨强度；(2)建立可用于更好地了解骨骼和关节疾病的计算机模型；(3)使用加拿大光源同步加速器开发低辐射剂量的骨强度评估；以及(4)构建用于骨骼和脊髓修复的人工结构(支架)。

The MicroScribe MX 3D Digitizer requested in this application will extend the research capabilities of the Colleges of Engineering, Medicine and Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan in the areas of imaging, biomechanics, tissue mechanics and tissue engineering. One central goal of multidisciplinary musculoskeletal research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan involves assessing bone and cartilage strength with non-invasive imaging tools. These imaging tools include the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, micro computed tomography (microCT), peripheral Quantitative CT (pQCT), high resolution pQCT, clinical CT and clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging techniques have been recently developed to estimate mechanical properties of bone and cartilage. However, it is currently not known how well these imaging techniques estimate mechanical properties. Further, without accurate strength estimations we cannot reliably trust results from computer models--specifically finite element (FE) models--of bone and cartilage. The applied MicroScribe MX digitizer will enable us to accurately compare imaged-derived and experimentally-derived mechanical properties, and thus confirm imaged strength estimates using available imaging tools at the University of Saskatchewan. Using reverse engineering techniques, the MicroScribe MX will also enable us to re-create bone and spinal cord tissues as computer models to aid in the design and fabrication of tissue repairing structures such as scaffolds. The key features of this equipment include: high accuracy, low cost, and portability for use with various imaging tools and permanent instruments located throughout the University of Saskatchewan. This device will support the training of students in a multidisciplinary area involving mechanical and biomedical engineering, kinesiology, and medicine. The MicroScribe MX will help us to: (1) reliably estimate bone and cartilage strength; (2) build computer models that can be used to better understand bone and joint diseases; (3) develop low radiation-dose assessments of bone strength using the Canadian Light Source synchrotron; and (4) build artificial structures (scaffolds) for bone and spinal cord repair.