Development of novel tests to quantify objective spine function

背景：如果无法进行心电图等功能测试，对心脏病患者的影响将是灾难性的。不幸的是，这种情况存在于脊柱中--很少有客观测试可用于量化机械脊柱功能。因此，我的研究计划将解决重大的工程挑战，以创建一套新的客观脊柱功能测量方法。我的研究计划：目标1：我之前的DG工作表明，脊柱振动会产生一个显示组织状态的“指纹”。不幸的是，这种侵入性方法限制了临床应用。这一目标将验证超快超声作为一种非侵入性方法来量化振动过程中的3D椎体位移。一系列振动(啁啾)将在麻醉猪身上进行非侵入性应用。椎体位移响应将由超快超声(测试信号)和手术植入的三轴加速度计(标准信号)同时测量。然后，将对照标准信号来验证测试信号。目的2：在先前的DG工作中，我们已经证明压痕硬度是脊柱功能的一项临床重要指标。通过了解单个脊柱组织是如何造成压痕僵硬的，临床医生可以专门针对背痛的潜在原因。这一目标将确定脊柱组织如何通过滚动压痕获得大块的力-位移(FD)数据，并将这一技术应用于同时进行MRI和透视成像。所得到的FD数据将被输入到计算机模型中，以识别特定组织如何/何时对FD曲线做出贡献。目标3：我们最近使用电影磁共振成像来可视化关节内与关节声音相关的事件，但还需要更复杂的成像来确定它们与关节健康状况的关系。这一目标将确定关节音的关节内参数(生物标记物)，以定义功能关节和功能障碍的关节。为了做到这一点，我们将结合新的MRI技术来显示更大体积的关节声音，以及能够以超过1,000赫兹的速度成像的超高速超声波。长期目标：我的研究计划的长期目标是开发新的方法来衡量客观的脊柱功能，以减少加拿大人的发病率、残疾和成本负担。这里产生的知识将提供一个工程基础，以解决这些措施的临床意义及其基本机制。环境、培训和知识转移：该研究计划建立在已建立的多学科合作基础上，具有出版、培训和资助的丰硕历史。这些因素继续产生受欢迎的HQP，从导师的认可、学生获奖以及在科学、工程和医疗保健领域的成功就业就可以看出这一点。

BACKGROUND: If functional tests like electrocardiography were unavailable, the impact on heart patients would be disastrous. Unfortunately, this situation exists in the spine - few objective tests are available to quantify mechanical spine function. As such, my research program will address, then solve, significant engineering challenges to create a suite of novel measures of objective spine function.MY RESEARCH PROGRAM: Objective 1: My prior DG work has shown spine vibration creates a “fingerprint” that reveals tissue status. Unfortunately, this invasive approach limits clinical application. This objective will validate ultra-fast ultrasound as a non-invasive way to quantify 3D vertebral displacements during vibration. A range of vibrations (chirp) will be applied non-invasively in anesthetized pigs. The vertebral displacement response will be measured simultaneously by ultra-fast ultrasound (test signal) and a triaxial accelerometer implanted surgically (criterion signal). The test signal will then be validated against the criterion signal. Objective 2: In prior DG work, we have shown that indentation stiffness is a clinically significant measure of spine function. By understanding how individual spinal tissues contribute indentation stiffness, clinicians can specifically target underlying causes of back pain. This objective will identify how spinal tissues contribute to bulk force-displacement (FD) data obtained via rolling indentation by adapting this technique for concurrent MRI and fluoroscopic imaging. The resulting FD data will be input into a computer model to identify how/when specific tissues contribute to a FD curve. Objective 3: We have recently used cineMRI to visualize intra-articular events associated with joint sounds, yet more sophisticated imaging is needed to ascertain their relation to joint health status. This objective will identify intra-articular parameters (biomarkers) of joint sounds that define functional versus dysfunctional joints. To do this, we will combine new MRI techniques to visualize joint sounds in larger volumes with ultra-fast ultrasound capable of imaging rates of over 1,000 Hz. LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES: The long-term objective of my research program is to develop novel ways to measure objective spine function toward reducing morbidity, disability and cost burdens for Canadians. Knowledge generated here will provide an engineering foundation from which to address the clinical significance of these measures and their underlying mechanisms.ENVIRONMENT, TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER: This research program is founded on established multidisciplinary collaborations having a productive history of publication, training, and funding. These elements continue to produce sought-after HQPs as evidenced by mentoring recognition, student awards won and successful career placements in science, engineering and health care.